SQ3R and Study Hacks tip for textbook reading

[Benedina]

I've seen a couple of recommendations for Francis Robinson's SQ3R method of reading, an oldie-but-goodie if there ever was one. Just as valuable now as when he first came up with it in the 1940s. (Yay! Something older than I am!)

One tip: SQ3R always seemed absurdly time-consuming to me until I read Robinson's own explanation of how to do it. His method is far more efficient than the way it's generally described online, including the description in the Wikipedia article and Virgina Tech articles cited on another thread. I strongly suggest finding a copy of his slim summary book called EFFECTIVE READING. If your library doesn't have it, they can get you a copy on Interlibrary Loan.

If that's just too much effort--and who could blame any nursing student for not wanting to put out more effort on ANYTHING--I'll recommend the modified version of the method given at Cal Newport's fabulous Study Hacks site. Newport used his own methods to get straight As at Dartmouth, followed by a doctorate at MIT, while writing popular books on the side. His methods can certainly help anyone do a little better, with a lot less grinding, at nursing school.

And good luck to all my fellow and sister nursing students here! Whether you're skimming, studying diligently or not planning to see daylight for the next two years, I hope you get the grades and degrees of your dreams.

Dina