READ TO SUCCEED

There are several techniques and study methods that have been shown to help students 
learn and retain more of the material presented in textbooks.  Whatever method you 
choose, remember that the goal is always the same: to help you learn better, remember 
more, and apply what you learn.

Depending on your particular learning style, reading the textbook cover to cover may not 
be the best way for you to learn the material.  The SQ3R Method can drastically 
improve your understanding and retention of the material presented in your textbooks.

Here is a brief summary of SQ3R and what it means.

SQ3R is an acronym that stands for:

1.	Survey the individual sections in the chapter before you read the entire chapter.  
Information is presented in sections because that makes it easier for you to 
comprehend and remember.  (Just imagine if your textbook was one continuous 
chapter without breaks or divisions!).  As you survey the chapter, see how it is 
structured and pay attention to the layout of ideas, concepts, objectives and 
assessments (quizzes, questions, applications, etc.). Read the introduction, the 
main (usually bold or italicized) headings, and the summaries.  These clue you in 
to the critical ideas, which you are likely to see on exams and quizzes.
2.	Question the material in the text.  Take each of the headings and turn them into 
questions, and write the questions down.  These questions will serve as mental 
focal points for you as you read the details in the chapter, and will help you 
organize and sort the information as you are reading it.
3.	Read the chapter, concentrating on one section at a time.  The better you 
understand one section, the better you will grasp each subsequent section.  Keep 
in mind the questions you created, and try your best to pick out the information 
that answers those questions and jot it down in your notes.
4.	Recite in your own words, not the author's, the answers to the questions you 
created.  Make lists, draw diagrams, and read aloud to yourself.  Explaining the 
answers to another person can also help you learn.  (This collaborative learning 
can be a major benefit of study groups).
5.	Review the chapter after you finish each section.  You will remember much more 
in the long run if you reinforce what you have learned by reviewing frequently.  
Make note cards with important ideas and concepts, and refresh your mind 
frequently as you continue to move through the material.

Center for Enrichment Resources 2006