Distinguish between terminology such as anterior versus posterior, cephalad versus caudad and superficial versus deep. They are terms commonly used when describing areas of the body and their relative locations.
Break down words that sound unfamiliar. Anatomical body parts are not just named arbitrarily. Studying prefixes and suffixes makes a world of difference when remembering the function, position or organs associated with a muscle or vessel. For example, the gastroduodenal artery supplies blood (artery) to the stomach (gastro-) and the duodenum (-duodenal) of the small intestine.
Find pertinent clinical correlations to the area you are studying. This will not only help you remember certain facts for anatomy, but it will help you in other subjects you may come across in the future (and the USMLE). For example, the sphenoid sinus is inferior to the hypophyseal fossa, which houses the pituitary gland. Surgeons can therefore access the pituitary gland through the nose using the sphenoid sinus.
Follow directions and be careful when dissecting the cadaver. It is very hard to locate vessels if you've butchered everything in sight. The most effective lab groups have one to two people dissecting, one person reading directions, and one person handling an atlas and locating body parts. While dissecting, it is also helpful for the group to quiz each other on innervations and attachments.
View other cadavers in addition to your own. Male and female bodies can have both obvious and subtle differences.
Use mnemonics to remember lists of information relating to a topic. An example of a mneumonic is "Randy Travis drink cold beer," which helps you remember the nerves of the brachial plexus being separated into "roots, trunks, divisions, cords and branches."
Spend as much time in the lab (outside of scheduled lab time) as possible. While textbooks are a great resource, it is critical to observe cadavers in a 3-D view.
Rotate study processes every so often, especially when feeling unfocused. Use study aids like Netters flash cards when you are when tired of reading. If you're getting sick of the smell of formaldehyde, Rohen's color atlas is a great book that shows dissected cadavers with labeled body parts.
Study in groups. Not only can you quiz each other, but one of you may pick up information that someone else did not.
Avoid falling behind and procrastinating, the major pitfalls behind struggling for gross anatomy. With the amount of information you need to learn in a short span of time, yhou must stay on top of things. Make a schedule, prioritize agendas and make sure you are using your time effectively.
Talk to your professor about different study habits you can change or for additional help if you continue to struggle.