4. A successful approach to faster and better studying

Never approach a classroom reading assignment by simply starting at the beginning and continuing through to the end. Here's why.

Nearly every textbook is written in this style: Tell them what you’re going to tell them. Tell them. Then tell them what you told them. Use this to your advantage.

When you first pick up your textbooks at the beginning of the semester, look quickly through each book to find out: What are the chapter titles? Are there questions at the end of chapters? Are there pictures/diagrams? Does each chapter contain an overview and/or a summary?

Before you read any chapter: 1) Read the overview (or opening paragraphs). 2) Read the summary (or ending paragraphs). 3) Look carefully at every picture/chart/diagram. 4) If there are questions at the end, read them all carefully. Can you answer any of them already? Do the questions seem logical based on the overview and summary you just read?

---Hot Tip: Only after you've done all 4 of these steps should you start reading the chapter in question.

While you’re reading the chapter, refer often to the questions at the end (if any) and illustrations (if any) whenever something you come across something that relates to one of them. Keep a dictionary handy and look up any word which is not completely familiar to you.

Even though this may sound like more "work," you’ll be surprised to find that this approach will usually get you through the chapter faster and with far more interest than if you had simply started at the beginning with no idea what lay ahead.