Skyrim 11-11-11

[Gogan]

Alchemy is an awful grind. I got in the habit very early on to collect every herb I came across, and always looted/stole ingredients whenever I saw them. I'd also buy ingredients from vendors since money is kind of irrelevant in the game. Then I always tried to make sure whatever I crafted would yield the biggest skill increases. It sucked though, no way around it.

Enchanting wasn't quite as bad. The only weap enchant I ever used was Animus to fill empty soul gems, so I was rarely actually using the gems for anything. DE'd everything I could. Bought all the petty and lesser soul gems from vendors since they were super cheap. Then I'd just enchant all the iron daggers and leather bracers I made from skilling up smithing (hundreds).

Being a thief and stealing everything in sight helped a lot, probably.