The Five "A"s
I use and teach the five "A"s:
ATIS: Get the weather conditions, and the runway/approach in use.
ALTIMETER: Set it (reference ATIS above)
APPROACH: Find it, review it, get it ready
AVIONICS: Set them up for the approach, including the flip-flops on your radio for Nav and Comm
AIRSPEED: Slow to you approach airspeed at least three minutes prior to your IAF, if you can.
Don