Before you read

Preview the material to get the big picture.

·         Read all objectives, headings and subheadings.

·         Examine all illustrations and tables.

·         Read all bold, italic, or underlined words.

·         Read section or chapter summaries and questions.

Reflect on what you already know about this topic.

Question to anticipate what you should get from this reading.

·         Rephrase headings as questions and write them down.

·         Write questions about the illustrations and tables.

·         Write questions about the terminology.

While you read

Read actively using your learning style preferences.

·         Visualize the material.

·         Read aloud, especially the tough stuff.

·         Construct concept maps

·         Illustrate the material or compose your own tables.

·         Circle key terms.

·         Highlight or underline critical material (but don’t overdo it!)

Develop more questions and answer your questions from the prereading.

·         Predict or guess the answers first.

·         Read the section carefully to find the answers.

·         Write out the answers in your own words.

Learn new terminology

·         Write down all new terms and their definitions.

·         Make flash cards.

·         Distinguish between similar or closely related terms.

Summarize the main ideas in your own words.

After you read

Recite the material

·         Talk it over with yourself and someone else (your study group?)  

·         Enlist others to quiz you over the material.

Review within 24 hours to move the information into our long-term memory.

·       Reread your notes.

·       Restudy your questions and answers.

·       Practice the terminology.

·       Recite the main points and your summaries.

·       Quiz yourself on your questions and the terminology.

Review weekly to reinforce your learning, and in depth before a quiz or exam.