[vezycash]

I took notes on my laptop using OneNote - far better than Microsoft Word.

I used color for headings. Added bullets and numbers even when it wasn't dictated that way. Added acronyms - mnemonics to the headings. Marked out filler content while writing or immediately after class. Summarized, rewrote important parts in my own words. Marked areas where I'd have to reproduce verbatim.

Finally, for exams, I read using my Nook eBook reader instead of the laptop because: The glossy screen is tiring. And there are many distractions on my laptop - browser, games, movies...

Finally, while reading, I actively set questions and answered them after reading. This question method's far better than re-reading multiple times.

With all these, five hours was all I needed for a semester's worth of work.