Study Aids

Do you perform practice exercises?
Do you create or use organizational aids?

Pre-Reading Study Aids

Textbook’s Title - The title describes what the whole book is about or how the author will approach the topic.  Making note of the title of the text will give you some idea as to its contents.

Table of Contents - This Study aid lists all of the main topics of the text.  This will help to understand the text’s organization and the relationships between the different sections of the text.

Chapter Titles - As with the book’s title, the chapter title will give you some idea as to the contents and main topics of the charter.

Chapter Preview, Outline, or Objectives - Chapter previews will give you an understanding of how the chapter is organized and the main topics that will be covered in the chapter.  Chapter objectives will help you learn what the author thinks is important in the chapter.

Review Questions - Is it sometimes helpful to look at the review question prior to reading.  These will help you identify what the important information is in the chapter.

Chapter Summary - Reading the chapter summery prior the toe chapter will give you some idea as to the type of information you should be finding as you read. Chapter summaries may appear at the beginning or end of the chapter.

Aids To Use During Reading

Web-Based Material - Many textbooks have web addresses where supplementary material can be found.  These can include additional text, extra problems and exercises, streaming videos and soundtracks.  These help the material become more meaningful.

Supplementary Material - Many textbooks are published with supplementary material such as workbooks, extra readings, and additional sample problems.  Some books also come with CD-ROMs that have quizzes and study aids for your assistance.

Headings - Headings give you an idea of what you are going to read and the organization of the text.  Using headings will allow you to make connections between what you have read and what you are about to read.

Marginal Notes - It is important to use both marginal that are provided by the texts publisher and make marginal notes for yourself in the text. Marginal notes can include definitions, questions that you have, connections with other texts you are reading, or notes to your self about other references to use.

Review Questions - As you read think about the review question your author has provided or make up your own.  These will help you organize your thinking, remember what you are reading, and concentrate on the material at hand.

Graphics - These are used extensively in most textbooks. It is important to “read” graphics by looking at the components and recognizing how they are related.

List of Key Terms - Using lists of key terms allows you to look up their definitions before reading so that they are readily accessible while you are reading.  You can also write definitions for each of these terms as you read about them

Glossary - Use the Glossary to help find the definition of words in the intended meaning of the textbook.  This is an excellent resource when reading highly technical language.

Appendix - Often graphics, special descriptions of a technique, tables that can help you work exercises in the text, and other aids can be found in an appendix.  These can be used to help understand the meaning of the text.

Index - Many times words or topics in a text are defined or explained in another part of the text.  The index will help you to locate where else this material is discussed.  This will help you better arrive at a better understanding of the text.

Post-Reading Study Aids

Chapter Summaries - Summaries help you organize your thinking and find relationships among the main ideas.  It is also important to write your own summary once you have read a chapter.

Review Questions- By answering review questions you test your knowledge about what you have just read. You can then review the answers before continuing on to the next chapter and make connections to the new text you are reading. Review questions can come both from the book and from the professor.

Suggested Readings or References - Looking at lists of other readings or references can aid in your understanding of the material.  This is especially true if you are having trouble understanding the particular text you are reading.  Reading a similar text by another author sometimes helps one to understand the information.

Creating Your Own Study Aids

Often, creating your own study aids can be more helpful than solely using study aids that are provided by your text book.  While creating your own study aids, you are reviewing the material you are to be studying and processing the new information more thoroughly.  There are many different types of study aids which you can create yourself.  Some of these include:

Taking notes both in class and while doing you reading.  This way you can have a reference to all the information that you are encountering.

Creating diagrams and charts for the information you are presented with will help you see it in a different light.  Diagrams can help you to understand complex relationships.

Creating summary sheets will help you to review the material you have just read or heard.  Putting the information “in your own words” also helps to make the information more memorable and relevant.

Underlining or highlighting you text and notes helps you to identify and remember important material.  It also helps on to locate specific information that one might need to find.

Don’t forget to look for available campus resources:
   *Attend group review sessions provided by the course instructor or department
   *Work with a Learning Assistance Center Peer Tutor for FREE help
   *Working with a study strategies advisor in the Learning Assistance Center 
   *Compare notes with other students in your class or attend SI
   *Study with a small group of students
   *Participate in class computer discussions or chat rooms (Blackboard)   

Create Your Own Study Aids:

Concept Maps

Flash Cards

Study Groups

Summary Sheets