Look for patterns. Participate in class. Ask questions in class and volunteer answers to the instructor's questions. Don't be afraid of wrong answers. Read the textbook several times, and read it well.
Critical reading is the key to learning the detail-oriented material in long chapters.
The goal is to identify the focus of the chapter. The second reading should be very thorough, taking two to four hours. Jot notes in the margins, use a high-lighter, and take notes. Each example in the text should be worked by hand. After the topic is covered in class, read the chapter a fourth time.