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Dear Freshman,
First of all, welcome to NIU! Barb knows that this must be a stressful and exciting time for you as you plan for your first college semester. By anticipating some of the academic adjustments you will need to make, you are already off to a good start.
College textbook reading does require a different set of skills than other types of reading you might be doing. These reading assignments are usually longer, are jam-packed with ideas and concepts, and often use vocabulary that may not be familiar to you. Additionally, since you may be reading about subjects you have not studied before, the concepts might be harder to grasp.
Barb has several recommendations. First, it is important to "preview" the chapter. Look at the table of contents for the assigned chapter and spend a few minutes skimming through the chapter looking for headings and subheadings. Try to get a sense of how the chapter is organized, and perhaps write down a question about each section. Rather than highlighting, jot down notes in the margins. A good rule of thumb is that whenever you read a concept you can't explain easily to someone else, jot down a key word or two in the margin that will help you retain the concept. Look for answers to the questions you posed earlier in your first skim through the chapter.
The techniques suggested above are part of a well-known study method called SQ3R. For information about SQ3R and other study methods, please see http://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/index.htm and scroll down to the heading that says "Reading Skills." We also encourage you to contact our office in the fall to schedule an individual study skills consultation with a staff member in CSDC's Learning Assistance & Study Skills Lab; call (815) 753-1206. A staff member will work one-on-one with you to help you gain the skills you need for academic success.
Good luck!
BW |