Study Tips & Tools

Reading Strategies

Reading the textbook

You HAVE TO READ THE BOOK to understand the concepts of the course!   No matter how thoroughly you understand the classroom discussions, no matter how many computer animations you look at, no matter how studiously you pore over the notes --YOU HAVE TO READ THE BOOK!

Besides the narrative, the textbook also contains important illustrations, tables and diagrams to help you understand the concepts of anatomy and physiology.

Here are a few proven tips to help you read the textbook Anatomy and Physiology more effectively --and in less time:

1. Don't read too much at once.  Never read more than a chapter at once.  It's best to read only one section at a time.  That way, you won't find yourself looking up from the book wondering what you've just read.

2. Look it over before you read it.  Skim over the headings and boldface terms --and take a quick look at the illustrations.  It'll give you a good idea of what you are about to tackle.

3. Let your fingers do the walking.  It sounds silly, but if you read with one finger on the text and the other on the related figure, you'll find you can read more easily --and RETAIN more of what you have read.

4. Read it more than once.  The first time should be a skim (see a above), the second time a fast reading, and the third time a thorough going over.  It sounds like a lot, but it won't seem that way if you do it this way --and you'll be glad you did!

5. Use a reading strategy.  There are many strategies for reading textbooks that study specialists have developed, each suited to different learning and reading styles.  Use the links below to explore some of these techniques.

Check out these resources

Power Reading : The Best, Fastest, Easiest, Most Effective Course on Speedreading and Comprehension Ever Developed!

I Read It, but I Don't Get It: Comprehension Strategies for Adolescent Readers  

Using Your Textbook from the SCC ACE Center is really helpful

SQ3R A short article on how to use the SQ3R method of textbook reading and retention

Reading strategies  A short article on reading strategies in general 

Reading strategies  Some useful how-to tips from a college instructor

Speeding through Reading  A nice article on how tricks for speed reading textbook assignments and other material

Reading Article on reading strategies from "College Tutor"