5 Techniques for Improving Your Reading and

Studying Skills

"SQ3R" A Reading and Study System

 
Reading a chapter correctly takes a lot more time
than you probably spend now, but try this SQ3R
method. Slowly add this system into your other
classes too. Be patient and give this method 2
weeks to make a difference. At first, you'll spend a
lot of time on this.
Remember: You can study a lot of hours over the
course of the semester or you can study all of
those hours the week before your final.

Study time rule: 1 hour of class = 2 hours of study

time!

This reading method will seem slow at first, but the

benefits will soon be clear: You will remember
more of what you read, and you won't waste time
repeating work you've already done!
 SQ3R Means:

•Survey

• Question

• Read

• Recite

• Review
 SURVEY THE CHAPTER
Read the title - prepare your mind to study the
subject.

Read the introduction and/or summary - think about

how this chapter fits the author's purposes, and focus
on the author's statement of most important points.

Quickly look over each boldface heading and

subheading - organize your mind before you begin to
read - build a structure for the thoughts and details to
come.
Look over any graphics, charts, maps, diagrams,
etc. They are there to make a point - don't miss
them.

Notice the reading aids - italics, and boldface print

show that something is important

Also, the chapter objective and the end-of-chapter

questions are all included to help you sort,
understand and remember the information.
 QUESTION
Create questions from your reading to help your
mind think about the material.

Look at each section at a time and turn the

boldface headings into as many questions as you
think will be answered in that section. The better
the questions, the better your understanding will
be.

You may always add more questions as you

continue.
When your mind is actively searching for answers
to questions, it is learning! This is also the best way
to predict test questions - where do you think your
teachers think up questions?!

Here's an example: if a heading says "Parts of the

Flower," you can make a question like: "What are
the parts of a flower?" "Historic People" can be a
question like "Name some historical people."
Make up as many questions as you possibly can.
 READ
Ok, now it is the time to read the chapter, but
follow these steps:

As you read, look for the answers to the questions

you wrote, and write the answers in your notes!

Read each section of the chapter with your

questions in mind. Look for the answers, and take
note of questions you didn't think of that were
answered in that section.
 RECITE
As you read the chapter, you should recite your
notes.

Reciting means practicing out loud what you’ve

written down. Yes, that's right - talk to yourself!

After each section of reading, stop, think about

your questions, and see if you can answer them
from memory. If not, look back again (as often as
necessary) but don't go on to the next section until
you can say what you have learned!
 REVIEW
Spend 15 minutes every day reviewing your notes.

Once you've finished the entire chapter using the

steps above, go back over all the questions that
you made. See if you can still answer them. If you
cannot, read the chapter again, being careful to
answer your own questions.