The funny thing is, that is exactly what I have been doing since I started playing mania and now I can do 4 stars in 4k, but I've been focusing on 4k the most so I can only do 2 stars in 7k and 3 stars in 5k.
I use an arrow skin but deleted the arrows because it is a lot easier to read because the notes are larger.
I'm also getting a mechanical keyboard to press notes a whole lot easier than my laptop keyboard.
I've only been playing mania for a month and I'm still gaining much skill by learning patterns and slowly increasing my scroll speed by increasing my reaction time/reading skill.
Whenever I'm not on my computer, I play opsu! on my phone (I know it isn't mania but it helps you learn patterns). Everyday when I come back to opsu! I get better at it and that also affects my skill in mania. Right now I can read 9 star songs. I think opsu! helps with hand eye coordination so you can quickly react with really fast patterns because my hand eye coordination is extremely good. I don't play osu!standard but since my hand eye coordination is good, I can aim at the notes perfectly, I just need to increase my timing which I'm doing right now.
I would say I'm a novice but with these techniques I use, I'm gaining on being able to beat 4k songs easily with a lot less effort.
Another way of being fit, (but a terrible way to go) is to probably drink coffee, but there are no shortcuts in life so being fit and active is the way to go!
I would say to make it easier to read patterns in mania you have to change skins to the one that fits you and helps you most, increasing that scroll speed, playing levels you have never played, and just perfecting your hand eye coordination.
I recommend trying other game modes too so then your mind finds it easier to learn the main things for playing a rhythm game. Taiko is very similar to mania, and osu!standard greatly increases your skills once you get good at it. Catch only deals with hand eye coordination, I don't like to play it because it is very easy for me.