Page 175 - Keys to College Success

■ Schedule carefully. Be realistic about how much time it will take you to do any
reading assignment. Try not to cram a chapter that requires an hour and a half
into a 30-minute between-classes break.
■ Set reasonable expectations. Don’t expect to master challenging material on the
first pass. Use the first reading as an overview, and build understanding on subsequent
readings.
■ Build course-specific vocabulary. Your vocabulary influences how well you under-
stand complex materials. The more you read, the more words you are exposed to,
and the greater your comprehension becomes. When reading a textbook, search
the end-of-book glossary explaining technical words and concepts (if applicable).
Definitions there are usually limited to the meanings used in the text. Standard
dictionaries provide broader information. Buy one or use websites such as www.
dictionary.com.

Manage Distractions

Even well-written college textbooks and other high-level materials require a lot of
focus, and distractions are a major issue. Don’t underestimate the power of hunger or
fatigue to derail you at study time. Some distractions you can actively avoid; others
require management.
■ Internal distractions. When you are cold or hungry, get a sweatshirt or a snack.
When worries come up, write them down to deal with later. If you are feeling
jumpy, take an exercise break to release energy.
■ External distractions. You can’t always control the noise around you, but you can
control where you study. Politely ask people to keep the noise down if you are
within your rights (for example, on a weeknight in a dorm or study area), ignor-
ing any unhelpful response you may receive (your academic success is worth the
risk of seemingly overly studious). If that doesn’t work, use headphones, or move
elsewhere if you can.
■ Technology. Web surfing, emailing, texting, and instant messaging are enormously
distracting. Plus, forcing your brain to switch between tasks can increase work
time and errors. Set boundaries that save technology for breaks or after you finish
your work.
Remember, too, that some of the strongest motivation comes from within. When
you see how what you study will help you reach important personal goals, you will be
better able to focus and resist distraction.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE
the most of college reading?

Reading is an interactive form of communication. The author communicates ideas
to you and invites your response, and that response is where true learning happens—
remembering information, critical thinking, and application. How can you respond?

Use the SQ3R Reading System

One answer is provided by the SQ3R reading strategy, which stands for Survey,
Question, Read, Recite, and Review. This technique requires that you interact with
1
6 reading material by asking questions, marking ideas, discovering connections, and
CHAPTER 138 remember what you read. SQ3R works best with textbook-based courses like science,
more. In return, it rewards you with greater ability to take in, understand, and