The ol' textbook. It's one of those things that seems so obvious and yet can be so easily cast aside. Included this week are 8 HOT tips to use your textbook. Included below is an image version that you can print out and hang above your bed at night. Have fun!
Read It!- I know this may sound like a very simple thing but I can't tell you how many classes I would only use the textbook as a last resort when what I learned in class wasn't enough. Getting into the habit of reading your textbook is a simple, but major step forward.
Read The Night Before Lecture- This is a great way to get a preview of your next class. If your professor is following the textbook closely you will be in great shape the next day. Also a great way to relax before bedtime! Let your subconscious crank on the new information and then use class to reinforce it.
Don't Get Overwhelmed- Sometimes the text is dry, but also filled with a lot of information in a very short amount of text. Take it slow, reread it if necessary, and don't give up. If you even get a piece of it during the read, you will be able to grab the rest during lecture. You'll also know exactly which questions to ask.
Get a Highlighter- Don't highlight the whole book! Use your highlighter wisely and for absolutely delicious information only. It will save you tons of time when trying to find those passages later when you're doing your homework.
Dig for Gold- Sample Problems and Step-By-Steps are gold just waiting to be unearthed. Most of the homework problems are variants or will easily fit into step-by-step procedures.
Look at Your Homework First- Many times your homework will be assigned early. Even if you don't start early, knowing what you have to do is great at being able to pinpoint sections of the textbook that will help you later.
Review what you Read- When you're feeling saturated, take a break and think about what you just read. It will be a good rehash, and force your brain to solidify those memory pathways for good retention!
Start Making Your Cheat Sheet- Do not take copious notes. If you find phenomenal information that you think would save your life on a test, take a sheet that you can put in the book and jot down a very short amount of information. You'll be starting your cheat sheets and making intelligent notes instead of encyclopedias worth of notes.
