Some people might have other tips, but here's my 2 cents: it's mostly practice. Think of your brain as a muscle. You wouldn't sign up for a semi-marathon and expect to do it just because you signed up. You have to start slow and build up with training. Brain works the same. A more practical tip: take notes, read them out and sum them up in your own words. Your brain deals with TONS of info all the time, it needs to know what to keep and what to throw away. By writing and rehashing it, you are signaling: this is important, I need you to keep it. I'm not helping you gain time, but it really works. (I teach adults, I tell them all the time) And last: SLEEP! A tired brain, just like a muscle, can't perform well. It's not laziness, it's a need. Good luck!