SQ3R Method for Effective Studying
January 6, 2014 2 Comments
The studying technique needs to be effective for good results. Today, we will discuss a study technique which is very effective as well as popular owing to its simplicity. It’s called the SQ3R method of learning. The SQ3R method is a proven, step-by-step strategic approach to learning and studying from textbooks. Why is it successful? Because it helps you discover the important facts and ideas that are in your textbook, and master and retain that information so that you are prepared for an examination. The added benefit of using the SQ3R Method is that often you will find your own questions on a test. Lets discuss this SQ3R method in detail now.
A. Survey – Formulate Goals
Before you start studying, survey the topic you plan to study. This step is also called the skim step. Just page through the entire chapter and get an overall impression. Glance at the headings, text in bold and italic and underline, something familiar, etc. Go through any graphics, charts, diagrams, etc. present in that chapter. Notice each heading and subheading while you are glancing the text to prepare your thoughts and build a structure for the details to come.
B. Question – Engage your mind with the content
Based on the information you gather in the survey step, keep posing questions about the same. Keep the questions like the follows:
- What do I already know about it?
- What do I want to know about it?
- What do I expect to learn about it?
- What must I remember about it?
Also, convert the headings and subheadings into questions. That will help you engage with the content and help your mind to focus on obtaining answers to the questions.
C. Read – Connect the dots
In the first two steps you have been building mental structures as to what and how the chapter is to be studied. In this step, you read the course or the text book. As you read, you are simply filling information in the mental structures you created. Read a section and find answers to the questions. Keep a lookout for raising new questions as well.
D. Recite/Recall – Concentrate and learn as you read
After each section, recall the questions and see if you can answer them from memory. If not, look back at the text again as often as necessary, but don’t move to the next section until you recall the answers from the previous ones. Use this method for every section that you study.
E. Review – The finishing touches to the learning
Once you have finished with the entire chapter using the survey, question, read, and recite steps; go back over all of your questions. See if you can still recite them. If not, reread that particular section and try again. Reviewing will help you refine the learning and to build memory.