Time Management

SQ3R
Surveying
• pre-reading
• previewing assignment
• Big pictures overview of main ideas and themes
• Skim table of contents, preface, chapter elements
Question
• Step 1: Ask yourself what you know about the topic o Summarize what you already know about topic
• Step 2 : Write questions linked to chapter headings o Examine chapter headings and write down any questions about headings on piece of paper or in margins for book.
Read
• After surveying and questioning, retain what you read. o Focus on the key points of your survey – boldface type, raised headings, chapter objectives and summary. o Focus on your Q-stage questions – Read with purpose of answering the “questions” written in the margin of book or separate piece of paper. Write down or highlight ideas related to your questions. o Mark up your text, and take text notes – Write notes in margin or separate paper, circle ideas, highlight key points that you want to study for exams. o Create text tabs – Place plastic index tabs or adhesive notes at the start of different chapters to flip back and forth with ease.
• Find Main Idea o Search for topic of paragraph – Topic of paragraph is not the same as main idea, it is broad subject being discussed – President Barack Obama, hate crimes on campus, or the Internet. o Identify the aspect of the topic that is the paragraph’s focus – If general topic is President Barack Obama, the author may focus on different aspects of that topic, such as health-care policies, first African American president, or public speaking talent. o Find what the author wants you to know about that aspect; this is the main idea – The main idea of a paragraph on President Obama as a public speaker may be:
 President Obama is a charismatic speaker who uses his oratorical skills to encourage the American people in times of crisis.
• Prioritize Reading Assignments o Ask what is important to remember
 Is the information stressed in headings, charts, tables, captions, key terms, and definitions?
 Is the information a definition, a crucial concept, an example, an explanation of a variety or type, or a critical relationship or comparison?
 Did your instructor stress the information in class? Is it in syllabus, does your assignment ask you to focus on something specific?
Recite
• Once you finish reading a topic, stop and answer the questions raised in the Q-stage of SQ3R even if you already did it during the reading phase, do it again with the purpose of learning and committing the material to memory.
• Recite each answer aloud, silently speak the answers to yourself, “teach” the answers to another person, or write it down.
Review
• Review immediately and periodically in the days and weeks after you read the chapter to help you learn and memorize material and prepare for exams.
• Some helpful reviewing techniques: o Reread notes and summarize from memory o Review and summarize in writing the text sections you highlighted or bracketed. Try to condense the material so that you can focus on key ideas o Answer the end-of-chapter review, discussion, and application questions o Recite concepts to self, or record/playback on digital recorder o Flash cards with word/concept on one side with definition on other side o Quiz self with questions raised in Q-stage o Discuss concepts with classmate/study group o Ask instructor about difficult material.

Terms to remember
Scanning – rapid reading in search of specific information.
Concentration – focusing on one topic at a time and avoiding distractions so you can learn material