Studying With Confidence by Doug

Studying With Confidence by Doug - January 2014 Scholarship Essay

I find that reading straight through a chapter in a text book is the worst way to study. I maximize the effectiveness of my study time by taking advantage of the format in which text books are written.

I start by doing a preview reading of the study questions found at the end of the chapter or the study questions provided by the instructor. I do not make any attempt to answer the questions during this read through. I am exposing myself to key words and concepts so that they will be familiar to me on my next exposure to them when I study the chapter. If there is a chapter summary, list of key concepts, or chapter outline, I read this next.

On my first pass through the chapter, I read only things the author is trying to emphasize by making them stand out from the body of the text. I read big or bold text like the chapter title, section headings, sub headings, bulleted lists and paragraphs with words in italics or colored or bold type. Before I progress to the next page I study pictures and charts with their captions, and any margin notes or footnotes. I study all of the pages in the chapter with this method.

After my first pass through the emphasized concepts of the chapter, I answer the study questions, reading the paragraphs necessary to understand the answers.

Finally, I read through the areas of text that I have not yet covered looking for new concepts.

I find that I remember the information better when I use this study method because I have had multiple exposures to the information presented in each chapter. I try to complete my preview of the study questions and areas of emphasis before attending class. When the instructor gives the lecture, this is my second exposure to the main ideas of the chapter. It is easier to understand the lecture and to take effective notes. I find that I am able to ask more effective questions in class and to get clarification on things I don’t understand. I am more confident when testing and my scores have increased. This study method also allows for more flexibility. If something happens with work, family or home that takes up some of my study time, my close read through at the end can be changed to skimming the text or eliminated altogether and I will still have a good understanding of all the major concepts.