The best and fastest way to learn the course is to do the exercises as advised. (saves listening again later when it comes to doing the exercises.) Skipping exercises is not wise you will miss something as they are all part of the learning curve. You don't need to get it right, just to do it and notice your experience.
Once you've finished the course it will become apparent how to apply it to studying and learning. As well there are many good posts on the subject.
I do advise you forget everything that you have read on the forum (good and bad) and just go into Learning the photoreading system with and open mind like a playful explorer. Expectations may have been aroused by reading the forum and the experience might not be true for you. The only way to find out how it goes for you is to see what happens when...
Have patience 
the course will teach a lot.
Alex
