To get quickly increase your Alteration skill, make sure you have these 
spells: Open Average Lock, Open
Easy Lock, and Open Very Easy Lock. Then, find a chest that you would 
normaly need a key or have to
lockpick. Use the opposite spell of the chest. For example, if the chest 
requires the easy spell, use the very
easy spell on it. Make sure you have some Magicka potions or you can just 
wait an hour every time you
exhaust your Magicka supply. In a short period of time you will have leveled 
your Alteration skill
dramaticaly.