Learning Strategies, Study Skills, & Paired Courses - College ...

Tips for Reading College Textbooks (cont’d.) 22.
DO HIGHLIGHTERS HELP?
A highlighter is a reading tool that helps you to focus; it is not a study tool. Drawing a yellow or
blue box around unfamiliar words will not help you to remember the information. Smart readers
realize the need to turn to textual reading notes. These are periodic, condensed notes of the
reading points, usually written in your own words. Write the notes in text margins or in a
separate notebook. Writing about what you read is a form of processing which will help you to
better remember the information.
READING NOTES
Most college textbooks employ three types of text: idea-by-idea text (an argument), timeoriented
text (a narrative), and space-oriented text (a description). Match how you take notes
with the type of text. Although traditional outlining works well with ideas, consider using
graphic notes (time lines, drawings, charts, etc.) to illustrate readings that move in time and in
space. Choose a method of note taking that helps to convey relationships of one idea to another.
READING TO REMEMBER
Build in adequate reading time into your time management plans. You will remember more if
you read smaller chunks on a daily basis than if you wait until readings pile up. Budget your
reading time into short bursts; this makes the task more attractive. Furthermore, since reading is
a major cornerstone of college learning, when you understand what you have read, you will
remember more and maybe actually enjoy it!
Contributor
Elaine Wright, Director, Learning Foundations, University of Southern Maine, ME
(ewright@usm.maine.edu)