Most schools will follow a set program for training, so it doesn't hurt to read up on the upcoming lesson. For example, your first (after a TIF) should be Effects of Controls, and that is a great time to just cover the basics of what the controls are, what the primary and secondary effects are etc. After your lesson, go and practise. Close your eyes and visualise yourself doing what you did in the aircraft. Some may disagree, but I found that using a flight simulator was very helpful. After every lesson, I would go and do exactly the same on the simulator (FS95 from memory). While maybe not completely realistic, it can make a big difference, and certainly did for me. And these days, if you get FSX and one of the Australian scenery add on programs, you might even be able to fly a similar aircraft from your home airport.
Like everything though, the more preparation you do, the better it will work.