Tips to Study..

How to Read and Understand Faster

Reading shapes character. Good reading habits enable one to enter into new worlds and different points of view. They introduce one to possibilities and alternatives not experienced before. So if reading is important, knowing how to read well will enable us to get more out of what we read.

A. Type of Reading

- People read for four different reasons:

1. For amusement: comics, storybooks, and novels. These require little or no effort.
2. For information: newspapers, magazines, textbooks, etc. This does not challenge our understanding.
3. For understanding: analysis, evaluative material that requires slow reading and needs repetition. See what the author says, what makes him say it, and the relation of the content with other facts….
4. For reflection: Inspirational writings, concerned with the deeper meaning of life …

B. Eye Training

- The speed of reading will differ according to the four types of reading given above.
- But in general what does speed-reading consist in?
1. Increase your eye-span: how many words can your eye take in at one glance?
2. Reduce eye-regress: Does your eye tend to refer back to check what you have read?
3. Develop a rhythmical and regular movement of the eyes while you read.

C. Mind Training

- One of the best systems suggested by Reader’s Digest’s, write Better speak Better, is the one called SQ3R. Survey, Question, Read, Restate, Review.

1. Survey
  For a book
- Read the preface, contents, and summaries of chapters; discover the author’s purpose and target audience.
  For a chapter or article:
- Read the first and last sentences of the first and last paragraphs and the first sentence of every paragraph in between.
- Long paragraphs mean heavy going
- Words in Italics indicate what the author considers important.
- Notice diagrams, key words.

1. Question: After skimming, jot down questions that occur to you. This motivates you.

2. Read: Difficult matter slowly, light matter quickly - Let your mind perceive meaning behind words: look for answers, look for essentials; keep questioning.

3. Restate: At intervals tell yourself what you have read - Do this after moderately long intervals

4. Review: Repeat the four steps quickly from time to time - There is no substitute for practice!


HOW TO PARTICIPATE EFFECTIVELY IN CLASS

Most of what you learn can be retained in the mind the very first time you hear it in class. Here’s how you can make the most of class attendance.

  In class be always alert!

This means:

C. INTELLIGENT LISTENING


  Listen to what is being said – not who is saying it!
  Listen to what is more important, essential and distinguish it from what is not.


D. INTELLIGENT QUESTIONING


  Question to understand, not to oppose!
  After you are sure you understood, be free to agree or disagree.
  If you are allowed to voice your disagreements do so, but do it with respect and politeness.

E. INTELLIGENT TAKING OF NOTES


a) There are many methods:

  Note –book system: the usual exercise book system
  Loose-leaf system: sheets of paper are put together in a file
  Card system: Thicker and smaller cards are used especially if the matter noted down will be referred to at some later point.

a) What to note down:

  Not everything the teacher says needs t be noted.
  This may vary with respect to an individual’s grasp of the subject matter.
  But always listen, understand and write.

a) How to note down:

  Be neat, orderly
  Be consistent
  Be precise
  Leave room for elaboration, summarisation and doubts.
   Use coloured pencils/markers to show emphasis


HOW TO STUDY

If youth is a time for learning and discovery, serious study is an essential part of the process. A youth leader must update her/his knowledge through study in order to be effective.

  Studying is an art! Success in study depends not only on ability and hard work but also on good study habits. Methods of study differ according to people, subjects, time….

Here are some general principles:

F. CLASS


   BListen to what is being said – not who is saying it!
   Listen to what is more important, essential and distinguish it from what is not.


G. INTELLIGENT QUESTIONING


  Question to understand, not to oppose!
  After you are sure you understood, be free to agree or disagree.
  If you are allowed to voice your disagreements do so, but do it with respect and politeness.

H. INTELLIGENT TAKING OF NOTES


a) There are many methods:

Note –book system: the usual exercise book system
Loose-leaf system: sheets of paper are put together in a file
Card system: Thicker and smaller cards are used especially if the matter noted down will be referred to at some later point.

a) What to note down:

  Not everything the teacher says needs t be noted.
  This may vary with respect to an individual’s grasp of the subject matter.
  But always listen, understand and write.

a) How to note down:

  Be neat, orderly
  Be consistent
  Be precise
  Leave room for elaboration, summarisation and doubts.
  Use coloured pencils/markers to show emphasis