SQ3R: Studying Efficiently

SQ3R Picture

    The feeling of uncertainty which follows the usual way of studying can be avoided by carrying out an organized attack. A student will know what he has studied because he will have crystallized it in a question-answer form. The following steps will insure better mastery of a textbook chapter.

    SURVEY THE CHAPTER

    Determine the structure, organization, or plan of the chapter. Details will be remembered because of their relationship to the total picture.

    1. Think about the title. Guess what will be included in the chapter.

    2. Read the introduction. This is where the main ideas are presented - the "forest" which must be seen before the details (the "trees") make sense.

    3. Read the summary. This presents the relationship among the main ideas.

    4. Read the main headings (boldface). These are the main ideas. Determine where in the sequence of ideas each one fits.

    Follow the Next Three Steps on Chapter Sub-Sections

    QUESTION

    1. Use the questions at the beginning or end of the chapter.

    2. Formulate questions by changing main-heads and subheads into questions.

    3. Example: CAUSES OF DEPRESSION (What are the causes of depression? Having in mind a question results in (1) a spontaneous attempt to answer with information already at hand; (2) curiosity until the question is answered; (3) a criterion against which the details can be inspected to determine relevance and importance; (4) a focal point for crystallizing a series of ideas (the answer).

    READ

    Read to answer the question. Move quickly. Sort out the ideas and evaluate them. If content does not relate to the question, give it only a passing glance. READ SELECTIVELY.

    RECITE

    Answer the question - in your own words, not the author's. Then

    1. Write the question (on a sheet of paper to contain all the notes for the chapter - so, keep it brief.

    2. Write the answer using only key words, listings, etc. that are needed to recall the whole idea.

    Follow the Above Plan for Each Section of the Chapter

    REVIEW

    Increase retention and cut cramming time by 90% by means of both immediate and delayed review.

    1. Read your written question(s)

    2. Try to recite your answer. If you can't, look at your notes. Five to ten minutes will suffice for a chapter.

    3. Review again after a week.

    Important: Give the method a fair trial. Modifications are appropriate and necessary for some subjects.

    Adapted from Effective Study by Francis P. Robinson, New York, Harpers

    Textbook reading involves transferring
    previous learning to current problems.