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3 ways to read textbooks more effectively
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Bill is a freshman. Flaticon Icon

He pulled through high school without reading assigned textbooks, so he expects the same approach to work at university.

Yoda telling Luke, 'that is why you fail.'

After failing a couple of assignments, Bill realizes his academic success depends on good textbook reading.

There's just one problem...

Young student squinting eyes trying to stay awake while reading textbook.

Well, maybe more than one.

An extremely tall pile of books with the words 'stacks on stacks on stacks' repeating over it.

Textbooks are generally tedious and overwhelming!

Luckily, there's an easier way to get what he needs out of them!

Did you know?

College textbooks are expensive; a single one might cost well over $100. To make knowledge more accessible and low-cost, many educational institutions are advocating for Open Textbooks. These are licensed by authors and publishers to be freely used and adapted.

Look At The Big Picture

A textbook is not like other books. Never try to read a textbook cover-to-cover.

Harry Potter with a fire blazing behind him, fiercely saving: 'Neveeeerrrrrr!'

Preview the text first.

Understand the textbook layout and quickly scan chapters before you start reading to get an idea about the main concepts and ideas.

Pay attention to the following textbook features:

  • Headings and subtitles

  • Introductions

  • Bold words

  • Special interest boxes and notes

  • Illustrations, graphs, charts, visuals

  • End of chapter summaries

  • Review questions and practice problems

  • Vocabulary lists, glossaries

A woman in a cinema eating popcorn and thinking, 'I wish people came with previews so I can see what I'm getting myself into.

Start at the end - go through the chapter summary and questions at the end first to get an idea of what the chapter is about.

Assess what you already know and note any questions you have.

If you are on a digital reading platform, spend some time to get to know it better. Your e-book might have some unique features to help you study smarter.

Quiz

Sylvia is running late on a major assignment that she needs to submit in a day. The work is based entirely on textbook readings, but she does not have time to cover all the material. Which of the following is a good textbook strategy for her?

Did you know?

When you learn a new piece of information, your brain is making new synaptic connections. The best way to retain this new learning is by connecting it to concepts you already know. This strengthens the "spiderweb" of neural connections.

Read Actively

When you engage and interact with the text you're reading, you will understand and retain it better.

Try the following active strategies while reading:

  • Highlight text selectively.

  • Annotate and make notes.

  • Answer questions that you noted during the preview.

  • Read and think aloud to yourself.

  • Write a summary of the main ideas in your own words.

  • Assess your own learning by asking critical thinking questions on the material.

  • Monitor yourself, take a short break, move around or change location when your attention starts to drift.

A refined gentleman saying, 'I don't always mark my textbook, but when I do, I condense material and increase comprehension.

You will get there!

Dr. Who having a moment of enlightenment. Text says, 'Reading the part where the title of the book starts to make sense.'

Quiz

Zaki is having a hard time studying for an upcoming Psychology test. He tries to read the textbook but keeps losing focus. Which of the following techniques will help him read more actively?

Did you know?

Memory thrives on story-telling! The more things you can link together into a narrative, the more readily you’ll be able to recall them later on.

Reflect And Review

Now that you're done with most of your reading, try the following strategies to commit the material to your long-term memory:

  • Discuss key concepts with your peers.

  • Teach the material to someone else.

  • Create your own mind maps or visuals to summarize your learning.

  • Test yourself with self-made flashcards.

  • Review and improve your notes so that you don't need to go back to the textbook.

Toddler clenching fist in front of smug face. Text says, 'When you remember the test answers. Thank you long-term memory.'

Take Action

Now that you've covered multiple ways to get what you need from textbooks:

After all...

Dr. Who confidently walks up to a bookshelf and says, 'Books! Best weapons in the world' then turns and wears his glasses.

License:

This Byte has been authored by

LY

Lubna Yasin

Design Educator

#learning-to-learn

#learning-strategies

#practical-skills

#applying-concept

#student

#student-life

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