Learning Strategies

Read the TABLE OF CONTENTS first and ask yourself, “What do I know about this already?”

Read the introduction & CONCLUSION/SUMMARY.

SCAN the chapter to read the learning objectives; look at headings, pictures, titles of diagrams and pictures, and bolded words. Get an overall sense of the chapter you will be reading.

Read any bolded TERMINOLOGY. You don’t have to memorize; just read.

Write down the QUESTIONS that are listed at the beginning or end of the chapter. You can also use the WEEKLY LEARNING OUTCOMES from your course outline. Write each question on a separate flash card or blank page using the Cornell Note-taking method, or whatever note-taking system you decide to use. Do this BEFORE you start to read.

Now you can read the chapter! When reading longer chapters, consider using the Pomodoro Technique to help you manage the large amount of information you have to absorb.

As you read the chapter, look for the ANSWERS to the questions. When you find them, pause and reflect on what you are reading. RECORD or write down the answers as you find them. If using a flash card, write it on the opposite side of the question.

MAKE IT STICK! As you reflect, relate it to yourself or to other information you have learned. Create a way to make a connection to the information to make it stick in your brain. LOOK UP any words you don’t know.

WITHOUT LOOKING at the text, restate your questions and RECITE the answers out loud in your own words.

REVIEW the questions by quizzing yourself as often as possible! The more often you review, the higher the chance you will commit the information to memory. This step can be incorporated into a daily review session or used to prepare two weeks before a test.