Make sure your attention if focused on the material you want to remember. If you have other distractions going on around you - music playing, the TV on, kids talking, etc. - your mind won't be able to focus on the material. This will result in it being hard to remember what you've studied. Protecting your cells is vital to keeping your brain healthy and active. Eating foods that are rich in antioxidants like blueberries, strawberries, and other fruits and veggies will give you a leg up in taking care of your brain. These antioxidants not only keep your brain working in optimum condition, they also may help slow the aging process.