Hide your calculator; you cannot learn math concepts by using one. The only way to really understand a problem is to do it by hand.
Find a word problem that is representative of the concept you want to learn.
Before you begin the problem, think about what you are solving for, the situation that is presented and how it can be expressed mathematically.
Begin solving the problem. For each step, stop and think critically about what that step represents in the real world. Basic math describes our world; every step has a corollary in reality.
Examine your solution and go over each step again. Ask yourself if your solution is logical and makes sense. For example, if you solved for the relative speed between two cars, the answer should not be something like 3,211 miles per hour.
Backsolve your problem, following the same steps outlined above. For this, simply take your answer and solve for some other part of the problem. For example, if you solved for the relative speed of the two cars, then omit one of the original known speeds and solve for it.