Many students I know go to sleep reading their textbooks. This is an active study strategy that millions have used to improve their comprehension and learning from text books.

Survey

Determine the structure, organization, or plan of the chapter.

1. Think about the title.
2. Quickly read the introduction or the chapter summary.
3. Read the main heads (Boldface type).  These are the main ideas.
4. Quickly look at pictures, charts, and tables to preview what you will learn.

Question

Have questions about what you are going to read before you read the chapter.  Do at least one of the following:

1. Use the questions at the beginning or end of the chapter.
2. Use the questions on your teacher’s study guide.
3. Formulate questions by changing main headers and bolded words into questions. (Think, “Why is this topic important?”)

Write these questions to the left of the margin of your  law-ruled Paper or on the front of an index card.

Read

Read actively to answer the questions you have written.  Move quickly and read selectively.

Recite

Answer the question in your own words either out loud or to yourself.

Record

1. Write the answers to the questions to the right of the margin of law-ruled paper or on the back of an index card.
2. Write the answer in your own words.
3. Use only key words that are needed to recall the idea – Keep it brief!

Review

When it is time to study for a quiz or test over what you have read, do the following:

1. Use the flash cards you’ve made or cover the right side of your law-ruled pages.
2. Read the questions you have written down.
3. Try to recite the answer.  If you can’t, uncover the page and read your notes.
4. Keeping trying until you get all of them correct.

 

Need help applying these concepts?

Call 817.421.8780 to learn about Student Success!

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© 2009-2014, Monte W. Davenport, Ph.D.