Suggestions for Reading your Textbook  

• Take notes while you read.

• Summarize the author’s points in your own words.

• Ask yourself if you agree or disagree with the author – be able to support your position.

• Write questions down about anything you do not understand.  Ask the questions in class.

• List the words you do not understand – investigate their meaning.

• Work the problems that are demonstrated

• Test yourself when you have finished a chapter.

• Get a fresh piece of paper.

• Right down the author’s main points from the chapter.

• Itemize supporting evidence for each of the points.

• Check your answers by reading through your notes to see what you have missed.

The key to understanding what you read is interaction with the author.  Very little learning takes place from passive reading. 

It is generally a waste of your study time.