I mean its pointless to know and not do it. I could not even keep up what is the best way but I will go through it. Do the readings and even get a jump on them. Hand written notes in class and tape the lecture in case you need to check something. Go through notes and readings and rewrite the notes better. Every time you get close to a test take all notes and rewrite them again and again. condensing down to most important points and concepts. Get it down to like a page or two as you get to the night before the test and know that inside and out.