1. Reading Textbooks in College
Lauren A. Copeland, M.S.
Buffalo State College
SQ3R:

2. OBJECTIVES: By the end of this video, you’ll be able to:
List the 3 major problems students have with reading textbooks.
Explain what is meant by “active reading”.
Apply the SQ3R method for reading textbooks.

3. 3 Major Problems Students Have with Reading Textbooks
2. Finding & recognizing key points
3. Attention span:
Q: What is the average attention span for a 1st year college student?
Q: What is the attention span necessary for academic survival?

4. What is meant by ‘active reading’?
ACTION, INVOLVEMENT , INTENT
Interact with text (not passive!)
True or False: The best way to study for an exam is to re-read your textbook?

5. Before looking at individual chapters, PREVIEW the ENTIRE TEXT
Use paper clips or post-its to flag….
-Table of Contents
-Glossary
-Index

6. What is SQ3R?
= SURVEY
= QUESTION
= READ
= RECITE
= REVIEW

7. SURVEY Title Summary End of chapter questions Intro
Anything that stands out: charts, graphs, pictures, bullet points, bold…etc
Section headings/subheadings
Outline the chapter!!!

8. QUESTION! Key to active reading!
Turn headings into questions (and read to answer the questions)
These are the key points!
Gives purpose to your reading

9. READ… to answer the questions
Always have a pen in hand
Annotate
Answers the questions you wrote in margin
Underline, circle, draw arrows
(pen over highlighter)
What % should you underline?
Jot main point of each paragraph in margin as you go.

10. READ… to answer the questions (cont’d.)
BHN
Avoid Marathons
5-10 minute breaks each hour
If there is a contest between your mind and your body, who wins?
Tough? Stand and pace

11. RECITE
Recite answers to your questions (headings)
Pretend you’re explaining ideas to a partner
Explain aloud any material (especially if it is confusing!)
Wear neural traces
What percent of what we read do we lose if we don’t review it within 24 hours?

12. REVIEW While reciting Save hours of study time later
You may not be able to fully recall, but you will relearn easier the 2nd time.

13. So…Now you should be able to:
List the 3 major problems students have with reading textbooks.
Explain active reading.
Apply the SQ3R method for reading textbooks.