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  • Writer's pictureDr J

How to Read Your Textbook Efficiently to get Better Grades


Below are eight tips to help you read and understand your text book, so you can get better grades.


1. Skim through all titles and headings before reading the first paragraph. This will give you an idea regarding the material covered in the chapter or section and help you create a mental picture of the material as you read.


2. Skim the section first to pick out the basic concepts. Do not try to remember or write down specific details yet. Just get an idea of what is discussed in the reading.


3. Re-read the section carefully and take notes. Read a paragraph, or even a few sentences if the paragraphs are complicated, then stop and think about what you read. This is the RST method—Read, Stop and Think about what you read. Paraphrase the material. Put it in your own language. What does it mean to you? You may even want to recite what you read out loud. A lot of students find the Thinking part easier when they actually get their thoughts down on paper. Do not try to write everything, just little phrases to remind yourself of what you just thought about.


4. Be sure to look at figures, diagrams, and inserts. One picture or graph may contain the same amount of information found in a lengthy paragraph and be much easier to decipher. Looking at these visual elements should not replace reading the text, but they can be a helpful addition. Also, be sure to read all captions.


5. Record all boldfaced words and their meanings in your notes. They must be important if the textbook authors and publishers went out of their way to boldface them! When you make note of them, though, make sure you are putting their definitions in your own words.


6. Once you are finished reading, summarize what you just read out loud. Your ability to explain what you just read will serve as a true test to determine whether or not you understood the material. If it helps, pretend like you are speaking to a much younger sibling, cousin, or neighbor. Explain it on their level, no matter how complex the topic is.


7. Skim through the text a few more times. You should do this often but especially prior to and after lectures that compliment the material in the text. Hearing the information in a lecture and reading it in the book will help solidify the content in your memory.


8. Try to organize all of your notes to create the big picture. Add information from your class notes to your text notes and/or add information from your text notes to your class notes. This combination is easily accomplished if you type over your notes, leaving yourself with a neat, organized and thorough copy of everything you need to know for that chapter. If you prefer to write your notes, take separate notes in class and while reading and spend studying time putting the two together to make one big picture.


Textbooks can be a tremendous addition to a course, especially for students who prefer to see the material instead of hearing it. When used correctly, they can also help you achieve a deeper understanding and better grades.



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