There are three mistakes to avoid when it comes to studying in order to remember facts and details better. All three are simple, but tend to be problems that almost all students face at one time or another. Try to avoid them.
Avoid distractions and noise in your study environment. Many students try to study while listening to music, watching TV, talking on the phone, having a group of people over and any number of other blatant distractions to their attention. These may seem harmless enough, but the key to memory retention of information is focusing on what you are studying. This is always going to decrease if you have a study environment that is full of distractions.
Avoid being hungry and tired when trying to study. Needing to eat and lack or sleep both cause general fatigue, but they are particularly negative when it comes to memory and retention of information. If you need to eat, take time to do so before or even while studying, but eat something where you are instead of going out to eat. If are in need of sleep, you probably will just fall asleep while studying anyway. Try to make time to study after you have had some rest is the best solution.
Avoid cramming at the last minute for a class. Cramming rarely works, it is best to do your daily homework, reading assignments and other studying on a daily basis. If you keep up with these regular classroom assignments, there will be no need to catch up at the last minute. Trying to remember and memorize many weeks worth of information in a night or two of studying is not usually successful. No matter what, it will lower the level of memory retention and information that you are able to learn.