Reading STEM Textbooks
Before trying this approach, we recommend that you read the Fundamentals of Efficient Reading for an overview of college-level reading strategies. The below strategy is specifically designed for reading STEM textbooks.
Triple read the chapter
- Why this works: Whoa! Triple read? Wonʼt that take forever? Actually, triple reading helps you get the big picture before digging in deep, possibly reducing reading anxiety and helping you learn faster.
- How to do it: As described in the Fundamentals of Efficient Reading, you may want to eliminate distractions and write down the goal of your reading. Then, read the chapter in three steps:
- Page through the text, asking, “How is this organized?” (5–10 mins): Pay attention to how the chapter is broken into sections and subsections, and any key definitions, graphs, examples, and formulae included here. Getting the overall structure makes detailed learning faster and easier.
- Start again at the beginning, asking, “What questions are being answered?” (5–10 mins): Turn section headings into questions. For example, if the chapter on motivation has a section titled “Self-Handicapping,” ask yourself, “What is self-handicapping, and how is it linked to motivation?” If the chapter on measurement has a section titled “Converting Units,” ask yourself, “Why do I have to convert units?” The point is to reinforce the big picture and inspire confidence and curiosity.
- Read and write to meet your reading goal (duration depends on your goal and available time): Estimate what pace you have to work at to cover the material in the time you have. Then read to meet your reading goal (e.g., understanding tomorrow's lecture, doing the problem set, preparing for the quiz). Write or draw as needed to support your learning. Remember: the more you self test by hiding the material and writing from memory, the more durable your learning will be.
The triple-read strategy is powerful and a great fit for college-level learning. However, it is moderately difficult and complex, and it can be anxiety-inducing. So, give yourself credit for any piece of it you add to your reading practice! Keep revisiting the strategy to see how much more of it you could adopt to help you efficiently and enjoyably achieve your learning goals.
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Reading STEM Textbooks
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