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The following is the question as you go system. While you may not be a faster reader
overnight, these steps can help you to get more from the time you spend reading and help
you be more prepared for class discussions and exams.
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Survey the assigned reading. Either alongside the heading in the book or on a separate
sheet of paper write out the question. For example: Measuring and Comparing the Volumes of
Reacting Gases turns into How do I Measure and Compare the Volumes of Reacting Gases? If
there are no headings just number each section.
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Read one paragraph at a time. Try to summarize what the author said and what you
learned from each paragraph before you move on.
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At the end of the chapter write out the answers to each of the questions you created
from the headings. Use your own words.
If there were no headings, now is the time to create section headings and make them into
questions. They can be simple: Welfare Programs: What are welfare programs? or Who
participates in welfare programs? Having already read the material you will know what
topics were important.
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Review the entire chapter by reading the questions, checking the answers and rewriting
if necessary.
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Finally, take time to review and reflect. Think about the information you have learned.
Find ways to connect and categorize the information to other topics in the course, other
chapters in the book or lectures. Clarify anything that is confusing, or write yourself a
note to take the question to class, or to a peer, tutor or instructor. Finding the answers
to your questions early in the semester will ease your work load during exam
periods.
Adapted from Pauk, W. (1989) How to Study in College, (4th ed) Houghton Mifflin
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