Find out the study style that works for you. Medical school will be twice as hard as college and the study style that worked for you in undergrad may not work now. Learn how to listen effectively to pick up pertinent information. Take copious notes and review them after each class. Study daily, individually and in groups. Get all the study aids you can, whether it's books, journals or flash cards. Keep the information you need to memorize posted around you so that it seeps into your subconscious as you go about your day to day life.
Review copies of old exams. Learn the style and content of the questions you'll be required to answer to get an idea of what and how to study. While exam questions differ from to year to year, and may not even be similar, the material covered has to remain somewhat standard.
Get a mentor. Whether it's a professor, an advisor or a family friend who is a doctor, spend time with someone who has been where you are. Ask what worked and didn't work for her and get her study and time management tips. Meet with her regularly, even during periods where you feel that you don't need help; your conversations might unwittingly provide information to further your success.
Remember why you're there. When you feel like slacking off, remind yourself why you're in medical school in the first place. Doctors save lives. You are not learning this information for a grade, to please a professor, or just to make your parents or yourself proud. You are subjecting yourself to thousands of study hours for one simple reason -- to save lives.
Create a support network. Surround yourself with friends and family who support your ambition and will help you to celebrate your success.
Be kind to yourself. It's difficult to succeed when you do not allow time to relax and participate in the world around you. Schedule time each week to do something pleasurable and is unrelated to medical school.
Celebrate your successes and learn from your failures. Remember that excelling in medical school is like winning a war, but it doesn't mean you'll win every battle.