SQ3R - A Study Skills Method

SURVEY

1. Preview the assignment/material to be studied by scanning the text quickly to discover the central concept.
2. From your preview, formulate an overall picture and the purpose of what you ’re going to study.
3. Read the introduction to the chapter.  Look over major section headings, figures, questions, key words and chapter summaries.
4. Create context for remembering, generating interest and sense of what is important. Plan study sessions, setting a time limit for work, include breaks and rewards.

QUESTION

1. Create and answer questions for each section of the chapter.
2. Try to think in terms of who, what, when, where, why and/or how, to support the central concept.
3. Write these questions in the margins of your textbook or at the top of your lecture or study notes.
4. Focus on basic issues such as What is the main point? What supports the main point? What are the applications or examples?  How does this relate to the rest of the chapter, the book, the world, me?
5. Also consider questions that include comparing, contrasting and evaluating, predicting or problem solving strategies.

READ

1. Read specifically to answer the questions.
2. Most paragraphs contain one or more main ideas in support of a concept.
3. Locate and highlight them with a marker. 
4. Make notes (see web sites on note taking) in the margins, summarizing key points. 
5. Pay special attention to bolded or italicized type and to tables, graphs and illustrations which may explain an idea more thoroughly  than text.
6. Start an outline on scratch paper.

RECALL/RECITE

1. Pause periodically (every 15 minutes or so) look up from the book to recall in your own words a summary of what you have read:
   • the important ideas or concepts and how the text, examples, graphs, chart or illustrations support them.
   • Write on notepaper as much as you can recall about what you have read and learned!  Each mini-review is a knowledge builder and memory reinforcer.
2. Talk out loud and listen to the answers.  Recite to strengthen connections and improve memory.

REVIEW

1.  Did you answer your questions, understand the new material and accomplish your goal?
2.  Reread difficult parts; work a few more problems. 
3. Go back and review the  main points in the section adding more notes to the outline and margin.
4. Recalling and reviewing the same material several times over a period of several times over a period of several days is the best way to fully absorb and remember it!

Disclaimer

The Student Counseling Center does not guarantee the reliability of information on the links that are not necessarily operated by University of Texas at Tyler. We do not review or monitor the content of non-University of Texas at Tyler web sites. Links are provided as a service to our visitors. The University of Texas at Tyler is not responsible for the content of non-University of Texas at Tyler web sites. Your use of these web sites is subject to the terms and conditions of those sites.

Additional Resources:

Note Taking Skills

Test Taking Skills

ADHD   

Study Strategies based on Learning Modalities

For further information about Study Skills, contact:

          Student Counseling Center
          University Center, Room 274
          Phone: (903) 566-7254
          Office hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.