I recommend aiming for a bedtime of not later than 11pm. 10ish is better as that will get you 8 hours and getting up at 6 won't be much of a challenge. Don't hit the snooze button, set the clock to the time you have to get up.

For getting to sleep. As another post said, dark and quiet are essensial. A good pillow helps too. Don`t nap in the afternoon after 2:00pm.

If I'm wired, I prefer to read. Non-fiction history should knock just about anyone out. The best sleep inducing writer I've ever encountered is T.E. Lawrence.

I also find that audio books of any kind put me to sleep, particularly if the reader has an english accent. Out like a light in about two minutes.

When I travel I take a sleep-easy over the counter sleeping pill(s).