You’ve set aside time to study.
You’ve got a cup of herbal tea and you’re feeling motivated.
What now?
Setting up a study method can ensure the success of your study time.
Use the SQ4R method.
This is where the study information is surveyed prior to studying and goals (or questions) are set ahead of time.
SQ4R is a simple, yet powerful, study method.
Grab a pen and paper . . .
Survey the material you’re going to study. This works best when studying one subject at a time.
Scan your written material or textbook to get a general idea of the main points.
Skip the details and skim the summaries of the assigned chapters and the end-of-chapter questions.
Be sure to review titles, headings, and any other areas that allow you to take in the “big picture” such as images, pictures, bold or italicized print, introductions and conclusions, even footnotes may be beneficial for this step.
Questions about the information are created before reading or reviewing the material in detail.
Using the information you just skimmed from your textbook or lecture notes, write out questions of what you will need to know about the material.
(This process primes your brain to seek out the answer!)
Consider:
What do you need to learn about this topic so that you have a firm grasp of the concepts?
Are you able to consider the pathophysiology of a condition?
Can you think about how the pathophysiology manifests in the clinical presentation and how a given intervention modifies or corrects the disease process?
Read to answer the above questions. Actively read this time. No skimming.
Study your textbook or lecture notes so you can correctly answer the questions above.
Keep reading until you’ve read the information relating to your questions.
Don’t write down the answers to the questions yet.
Respond to the questions verbally.
Without looking at the text and using your own words, answer the questions you created.
This is called active recall and is a powerful way to study.
Recite and record the responses to the original questions….after you are able to recite them.
Consider writing up a short summary of what you have learned from answering the questions.
You can highlight, create bulleted lists, or write a narrative.
Review to see if the original goals were met and review the material on a consistent basis to ensure it sticks.
Using active recall strategies is best for this.
Or create a memory palace.
Knowing how to study is half the battle!!
You got this!!
XOX
