Just some random thoughts about study habits come to mind while reading your post.

Your cycle is dead on man...
ive read the required texts cover to cover many times...
played hand after hand...
and eventually an idea "clicks"
come to 2+2, Reaffirm the idea by replying to hand posts and it solidifies

See one, do one, teach one. (stolen from medical school)
and the cycle is complete.

Also, if you are a good note taker, you can spare yourself from searching through volumes of work for certain concepts.

samples would include, Preflop, Flop, Turn, river, shorthanded, etc, etc.

The very act of writing down the information helps keep it fresh in your mind. (and be sure to mark the pages of the books where you took the info from)

oh, and i almost forgot!

In today's busy lifestyle one can find themselves struggling to find the time to read teh required texts.
But by following my simple method i promise you will have atleast 30min a day where you can read in peace and quiet.

Step 1. Eat a diet rich in fiber
Step 2. Keep the required texts in your bathroom

Your brain and colon will thank me
(and yes, im serious... i have stats to back it!)
[hyp]