Learning things like lating helps you with the english language, as it is based off that and French.
Learning number patterns can help, and memorizing things is usefull as well. I've memorized Pi to about 56 or 57 digits, off memory, and that helped me in memorizing other things (I also won the Pi reciting competetion at school ) like the periodic table.
I know for that basic science, when starting out, learning a little of everything helps alot, as you can understand what some other people are saying that study in area x or y. And it helps you if you need knowledge of thing x in say, physics, which involves some basic Chemistry.
Reading lots of books helps, keeps your brain up to date, refreshed and increases knowledge.
Try to read the (news)paper everyday, it helps with politcal information (I suppose you don't have to care really )
Gaining friends with expertise in the area you want to study in also helps, as they can help you out.