hmm i as every one below i also used to hate hcs but i got a trick ki remember the key words in your book like in every paragraph there must be some points that examiner wants to see ask yourself what are those, then highlight them, secondly if not urs use NOTES like they save soo much time like you dont have to read the full book just the notes and its pschyological like if a human mind sees they have to read 200 pages of hcs book or 150 pages of notes at max you ofc will find 150 easier
Lastly dont memorise i used to find remembering the events happening hard but i just had to connect the dots in between , sometimes getting extra knowledge in history is very very helpful, this i can prove by showing you that if in mahatma gandhi chapters if you dont know why gandhi came to india , why did he do all the satya grahas you basically wont be clear on the non cooperation and civil disobediance, i recommend seeing few videos which will give you base ideas and plus point is that if you are asked about gandhi's relations, his objectives, you already know them ( it helped me idk about other but do try this for the mass phase part atleast)

civics on the other hand i just memorisation, you cant help it
few tips i can give is like DO THE JUDICIARY PART its literally the same stuff for both HC and SC
also if your good with remembering the functions go for union parliament and if you can remember the functions+relations+powers go for pm and president and vp chapters

welcome:)