1. Academic Advising and Learning Resource Center
Taming Your Textbook
Academic Advising and Learning Resource Center
11/24/2018

2. Workshop Objectives
To improve skills in identifying key information from textbooks
To improve ability to retain information
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3. Agenda Study Tips Selecting a Study Environment
Tips for Reading More Effectively
The SQ3R Study Technique
Mnemonics
Integrating Class Notes with Text Material
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4. Study Tips Don’t spend more than an hour at a time on one subject
Keep alert by taking rest breaks
Study similar subjects at separate times
Avoid studying during your sleepy times
Study at the most productive time for your course
Memorize actively, not passively
Use SQ3R Reading Method
Clue your lecture notes
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5. Controlling Your Study Environment
Pick a “Study Spot”
Before beginning, jot down the time you expect to finish
When your mind wanders, stand up and turn away from your books
Set aside a certain time each day to study
Don’t start unfinished business before studying
Set small, short-range goals for yourself
Keep a reminder pad – and stay relaxed
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6. Tips for Reading More Effectively
Forget “reading myths”
I have to read every word
Reading once is enough
You should never skip a passage
If you read rapidly, your comprehension will drop
Skim for the Main Ideas
Read title – does it give you clues?
Look carefully at headings and other “special items”
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7. When Reading Difficult Material…
Choose a moderate amount of material or a chapter to start with
Get a grasp of how the material is organized:
Scan the section titles, headings, sub-headings, and topic sentences to get its general idea; pay attention to graphs, charts, and diagrams
If there is a summary at the end of a chapter, read it. Check the beginning and the end for leading questions and exercises
Read first for what you do understand, and to determine difficulty. Mark what you do not understand to review later
As you read, practice the "look-away method:" Periodically look away from the text and ask yourself a stimulus question relating to the text.
use this exercise to memorize--but rather understand
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8. When Reading Difficult Material…
Look up words whose meanings are important to your understanding of the material, but you cannot discern from the context.
Read to the end
Do not get discouraged and stop reading
Ideas can become clearer the more you read.
When you finish reading, review to see what you have learned, and reread those ideas that are not clear.
Organize your notes by connecting ideas Pay attention to relationships between ideas.
Do not confine yourself to words! Use representations, graphics, pictures, colors, even movement to visualize and connect ideas.  Use whatever techniques work to help you understand
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9. If you’re still struggling…
At this point, if you do not understand your reading, do not panic! 
Set it aside, and read it again the next day
If necessary, repeat. 
This allows your brain to process the material, even while you sleep.  This is referred to as distributed reading.
Re-read the section you have chosen with the framework  (outline or concept map) you have constructed in mind
Separate out what you do understand from what you do not.
If the reading is still a challenge:
consult with either your teacher, academic counselors, or reading specialists. 
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10. Survey Read Recall Review
The SQ3R Reading Method
Survey
Question
Read
Recall
Review
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11. SURVEY Skim title, headings, and subheadings
Captions under pictures, charts, graphs or maps
Review questions or teacher-made study guides
Introductory and concluding paragraphs
Summary
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12. QUESTION Turn the title, headings, and/or subheadings into questions
Read questions at the end of the chapters or after each subheading;
Ask yourself, "What did my instructor say about this chapter or subject when it was assigned?"
Ask yourself, "What do I already know about this subject?"
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14. READ Look for answers to the questions you first raised
Answer questions at the beginning or end of chapters or study guides
Reread captions under pictures, graphs, etc.
Note all the underlined, italicized, bold printed words or phrases
Study graphic aids
Reduce your speed for difficult passages
Stop and reread parts which are not clear
Read only a section at a time and recite after each section
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15. RECITE, RECITE, RECITE
Orally ask yourself questions about what you have just read and/or summarize, in your own words, what you read
Take notes from the text but write the information in your own words
Underline/highlight important points you've just read
Use the method of recitation which best suits your particular learning style but remember, the more senses you use the more likely you are to remember what you read
TRIPLE STRENGTH LEARNING: Seeing, saying, hearing
QUADRUPLE STRENGTH LEARNING: Seeing , saying , hearing, writing!!!
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17. REVIEW
After you have read and recited the entire chapter, write questions for those points you have highlighted/underlined in the margins.
Page through the text and/or your notebook to re-acquaint yourself with the important points.
Orally recite or write the answers from memory. Make "flash cards" for those questions which give you difficulty.
Develop mnemonic devices for material which need to be memorized.
Alternate between your flash cards and notes and test yourself (orally or in writing) on the questions you formulated.
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18. Guidelines for Underlining
Read a section before underlining it
Do not underline too much
Underline information that will help in making notes
Make major details STAND OUT
Use subheadings as a guide
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19. Mnemonics ACRONYMS Nonsense Sentences Pegs Rhymes Loci technique
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20. Integrating Class & Text Material
Make “Master Notes”
Use information from class notes, handouts, textbook
Identify key topics and combine information using major points
Make flashcards, they are a constant form of on hand, ready made study guides
Make “Mind Maps” or webs
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21. Conclusion Topics Covered Study Environment Reading Tips
SQ3R Technique
Mnemonics
Integrating class and text material
Review within 24 hours
Look at review questions at the end of the chapter before reading
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