How to Read Your Textbooks More Efficiently - College Info Geek

Summary

In this College Info Geek video, Thomas outlines strategies for mastering college reading assignments. He emphasizes the importance of understanding why you're reading and tailoring your approach to the type of assessment, such as multiple choice tests or essay writing. Thomas introduces the concept of active reading, suggesting daily reading habits and note-taking to enhance retention and application of knowledge. He also hints at upcoming techniques for active reading and encourages viewers to subscribe for more.

Takeaways

• 📚 **Mastery of Study Techniques**: The key to success in college is not just knowing what to study, but also how to study it effectively.
• 🎯 **Focused Learning**: Prioritize learning the right information from readings, focusing on what's important and relevant.
• 📈 **Retention and Application**: Aim to retain information for long-term use and apply it effectively in assessments.
• 🕒 **Efficient Study Time**: Reduce the time spent on reading by focusing on strategic and efficient study methods.
• 🤔 **Understanding 'Why'**: Reflect on the purpose of reading assignments to align study strategies with assessment types.
• 🧠 **Avoid Reading Zombies**: Don't just read to meet a quota; engage with the material to extract and retain key information.
• 📊 **Assessment-Driven Reading**: Tailor your reading approach based on the type of assessment you'll face, such as multiple choice tests or essay writing.
• 📝 **Active Reading**: Engage with the text actively, similar to an intellectual conversation, rather than passively skimming through.
• 📅 **Daily Reading Habit**: Develop a consistent daily reading habit to maintain a steady flow of learning and information retention.
• 📋 **Active Note-Taking**: Practice active reading by taking concise notes or creating summaries to reinforce learning and understanding.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video by Thomas from College Info Geek?

The main focus of the video is to discuss strategies for effectively tackling college reading assignments, emphasizing the importance of knowing not only what to study but also how to study it.

What are the three main goals Thomas suggests for college students when approaching their readings?

The three main goals are: 1) Learning the right information from readings, 2) Retaining that information for as long as possible, and 3) Reducing study time.

Why is understanding the 'why' behind a reading assignment important according to Thomas?

Understanding the 'why' behind a reading assignment is important because it helps students to be strategic readers, using different strategies for different reading purposes, which are defined by the assessments they will face in class.

What are the four common reasons Thomas lists for doing textbook readings?

The four common reasons are: 1) Preparing for a multiple choice test, 2) Writing essays, 3) Evaluating data in labs, and 4) Summarizing research for class presentations and reports.

How does the type of assessment dictate what kind of information students should focus on during their readings?

For a multiple choice test, students should focus on details and take concise notes to study later. For essay writing, a thorough understanding of main ideas and the ability to communicate them in their own words is more important.

What is the tip Thomas gives for not becoming a 'reading zombie'?

The tip is to know what information the brain needs to extract from the reading and to focus on that, instead of just mechanically reading through the pages.

Why does Thomas suggest not reading textbooks like a newspaper?

Thomas suggests not reading textbooks like a newspaper because newspaper readers are not reading to apply what they learn, whereas college students should read for application and understanding.

What is the concept of 'active reading' as discussed in the video?

Active reading is a method of engaging with the material by listening eagerly, contributing one's own thoughts, and creating new information through interaction with the text, which is crucial for retaining and applying what is learned.

What are the two habits Thomas recommends for textbook readings?

The two habits are: 1) Reading daily to establish a consistent reading habit, and 2) Writing down a small amount of notes or creating a summary for each reading to practice active reading.

How does Thomas suggest incorporating rewards into the reading habit?

Thomas suggests building a small reward into the habit loop, such as ticking off a daily habit or engaging in a fun activity like watching a TV show or playing a video game, to reinforce the positive feeling from completing the reading.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Effective College Reading Strategies

Thomas from College Info Geek introduces strategies for tackling heavy reading assignments in college. He emphasizes the importance of understanding not only what to study but also how to study it. The video focuses on three main goals: learning the right information, retaining it for later use, and reducing study time. Thomas advises against being a 'reading zombie' and instead encourages strategic reading based on the type of assessment one will face, such as multiple choice tests, essay writing, data evaluation in labs, or summarizing research for presentations. He suggests being mindful of the syllabus and professor's assessment methods to tailor reading strategies accordingly.

05:02

🔑 Developing Active Reading Habits

In the second paragraph, Thomas discusses the importance of active reading and provides tips for creating effective reading habits. He suggests not reading textbooks like a newspaper but engaging with the material as if in a challenging conversation. Active reading is key to retaining and applying knowledge from textbooks. Thomas introduces two habits to improve reading: reading daily and taking notes or creating summaries after each reading session. He explains the difference between input-based and output-based habits, recommending a combination of both for effective learning. He also encourages building small rewards into the reading routine to reinforce positive feelings and establish a habit loop.

Keywords

💡Reading assignments

Reading assignments refer to the tasks given to students to read specific materials, often textbooks or academic articles, to gain knowledge on a subject. In the video, Thomas emphasizes the importance of mastering not just what to study, but how to study it, particularly in the context of reading assignments, which are a significant part of college education.

💡Strategic reader

A strategic reader is someone who approaches reading with a clear purpose and uses different strategies based on the reading's objectives. Thomas discusses the concept of being a strategic reader in the video, suggesting that students should tailor their reading approach to the type of assessment they will face, such as multiple-choice tests or essay writing.

💡Multiple choice test

A multiple choice test is a common assessment format where students select the correct answer from a list of options. The video mentions that if a student is preparing for a multiple choice test, they should focus on the details of the reading assignments, as this will help them answer specific questions effectively.

💡Essay

An essay is a piece of writing that presents a discussion or an argument. In the context of the video, Thomas suggests that for essay writing, students should focus on understanding and summarizing the main ideas from their readings, as they will need to communicate these ideas in their own words.

💡Active reading

Active reading is a reading strategy where the reader engages with the text by taking notes, asking questions, and summarizing information. The video encourages active reading as a way to improve retention and application of the material, contrasting it with passive reading where students might simply skim the text without deep engagement.

💡Gauging classes

Gauging classes involves understanding the professor's assessment methods and tailoring study habits accordingly. Thomas advises students to be mindful of what is in the syllabus and how their professor typically assesses them, which can inform their reading strategies and save time.

💡Consistency

Consistency in reading refers to the habit of reading regularly, which is highlighted in the video as a key habit to develop. Thomas suggests planning ahead and reading daily to build this habit, which can lead to more effective learning over time.

💡Habits

Habits, in the context of the video, are regular practices that students can develop to improve their study routines. Thomas discusses creating habits for consistent reading and active reading, suggesting that these habits can be input-based (e.g., reading for a set amount of time) or output-based (e.g., writing a certain number of notes).

💡Rewards

Rewards in the video are incentives that students give themselves after completing a reading task to reinforce positive behavior. Thomas recommends building a small reward into the habit loop to motivate consistent reading, such as watching an episode of a favorite show or playing a video game.

💡Output-based habits

Output-based habits are those that focus on producing a specific result, rather than spending a set amount of time on an activity. In the video, Thomas explains that output-based habits, such as writing a certain number of pages of notes, can be more effective for learning because they require a deeper level of engagement with the material.

💡Input-based habits

Input-based habits involve setting a fixed amount of time or effort for a task, such as reading for a specific number of minutes. The video discusses input-based habits as a way to ensure a consistent level of engagement with the material, which can be a stepping stone to more in-depth study.

Highlights

Mastery in college is not just about knowing what to study, but also how to study it.

Three main goals for tackling reading assignments: learning the right information, retaining it, and reducing study time.

Understanding the 'why' behind your reading is crucial for strategic reading.

Different reading strategies should be used based on the type of assessment you'll face.

Reading assignments should not be approached like a zombie task but with a clear purpose.

Four common reasons for textbook reading: multiple choice tests, essay writing, lab data evaluation, and research summarization.

The type of assessment dictates what kind of information you need to extract from your readings.

For multiple choice tests, focus on details and note-taking to create study questions.

For essay writing, concentrate on understanding and summarizing main ideas.

Gauging your classes by paying attention to the syllabus and professor's assessment methods can improve reading efficiency.

Don't read textbooks like a newspaper; aim for application, not just getting the gist.

Reading efficiency is not about the number of times you read, but how you read.

Active reading, where you engage with the material, is key to retaining and applying what you learn.

Create a daily reading habit to ensure consistent learning.

Develop the habit of taking notes or summarizing after each reading to enhance active reading.

Experiment with input-based (time-based) and output-based (product-based) reading habits.

Incorporate small rewards into your reading habits to reinforce positive feelings and motivation.

Stay tuned for the next video on specific active reading techniques.

Transcripts

What's up, everybody?

It's Thomas from College Info Geek.

Did you ever wonder how you're going to get all the information in these crazy, huge reading

assignments in a freaking weekend?

I want to share a quote with you that I learned over the week-end while doing research for

this video.

It goes like this, "The mark of a successful college student is the mastery of knowing

not only what to study, but also how to study it."

This applies to your readings as much as it applies to anything else in college.

In last week's video, I went over some strategies that you can use to figure out whether or

not you actually need to do a reading assignment at all.

In this video, I want to start focusing on how you should actually tackle the reading

assignments that you do need to do.

I have three main goals that I want you to keep in mind here.

Number one, you want to learn the right information from your readings.

Obviously, you can't learn every single thing in the book so you want to figure out what

is important and get that into your brain.

Number two, you want to retain that information for as long as you can and be able to use

it later.

Number three, you want to reduce your study time and the amount of time you have your

nose stuck in the book.

To start improving in all of these areas, the first thing that I want you to think about

is the 'why'.

Why are you doing this reading?

A lot of people would say, "You're reading to learn," and, obviously, yes, that's the

point of the education.

I think there's another more immediately practical reason that you're doing a reading.

That is how you're going to be assessed on that reading.

Being a strategic reader means using different strategies for different reading purposes.

Those purposes are defined with the assessments you're going to face in class which lead back

to your immediate goal of earning awesome grades.

Most students tackle their reading assignments like zombies.

They look at the reading assignment and they go, "Must run my eyes over x number of pages

by tomorrow night."

That's it.

Don't be a reading zombie.

Otherwise, your exams are going to turn into a chainsaw.

Know what it is that your brain needs to pull out of the reading and focus on that.

Here are four common reasons that you might do a textbook reading.

Number one, you're going to be facing down a multiple choice test.

Number two, you're going to have to do an essay, actually creating something from scratch

in your own words.

Number three is the evaluation of data in labs which applies to more technical and scientific

majors.

Number four, is the summarization of research for class presentations and reports.

The type of assessment that you have to do will dictate what kind of information you

need to pull out of your readings.

For instance, if you're going to have to do a multiple choice test, then you're going

to want to focus on the details of the reading assignments, taking smart, concise notes about

all the little things in a class and then turning those into questions that you can

study rapid fire later on.

If you're in a class where you have to write essays, then thorough knowledge of the main

ideas is more important.

You're going to want to focus more on summarization and making sure that you can communicate what

you learned in your own words.

There's a tip from the video I did last week on figuring out whether or not you even need

to do a reading assignment that applies perfectly here as well.

That is to gauge your classes.

As a semester goes on, be mindful of what's in the syllabus and what your professor generally

uses to assess you and then apply that knowledge to your readings.

This will take practice, but as time goes on, you're going to find that this mindfulness

really pays off in the time it saves you and the clarity it gives you when you're looking

at your book.

Once you've gauged those classes and figured out the type of information you want to pull

from your reading, how do you actually go about doing that reading?

To start out, let me give you a universal tip that applies to any reading you do.

It's this, "Don't read your textbooks like you read a newspaper."

People who read the newspaper aren't reading to apply what they're learning.

They're just reading to get the gist of the day's events.

You're not reading for gists, you're reading for application.

Also, don't expect that you're going to learn efficiently by just reading and rereading

passages over and over again.

The writer, Virgina Voeks, said that, "How often you read something is immaterial.

How you read it is crucial.

Think of a book like an art museum.

You can walk through the Met in New York ten times, look at all the paintings each time

you go through, and still know next to nothing about any of the art there.

You might know the general layout, where certain pieces are, but if I ask you for details,

"Which artist created this painting?

Where was this dog-thing sculpted," you won't have a clue.

Books are really the same.

Possibly running your eyes over the pages is like casually strolling through an art

museum and not actually studying any of the pieces.

It's actually worse because the brain is better at remembering emotionally evocative pictures

and imagery than it is at remembering squiggly, arbitrary lines on paper.

Instead, try to read in the same way that you'd talk with a friend who challenges you

intellectually.

You listen eagerly, you contribute your own words to the conversation, and, eventually,

both of you create information that comes together to make something new.

This is called active reading.

It's crucial for being able to retain what you learn from your textbooks and be able

to apply it later on.

In my next video, I'm going to over a framework of specific techniques that you can try out

to start using active reading.

To round this video out, I want to leave you with a technique that you can use to create

a small win in your studies.

Here it is.

Create two different habits for your textbook readings.

The first one is going to focus on getting you to read consistently.

The second one is going to focus on getting you to start using active reading instead

of passive reading.

The first habit I think you should try out is reading daily.

This might mean planning ahead in advance what you're going to read for a certain week

and maybe even reading some outside material if you finish everything.

It's all about getting into the habit of reading every single day, making a consistent effort.

For the second habit, try to write down a small amount of notes for each reading you

do or create a small summary for each reading.

It doesn't have to be anything large, you just want to get into the habit of doing it

and being more actively involved in your reading.

With both these habits, you can experiment with making them either input based or output

based.

Input-based habits have a fixed amount of effort that you have to put in to them so

read for fifteen minutes.

That's only fifteen minutes of effort and then you're done.

On the flip side, output-based habits are based on making something concrete.

Write one page of notes could be an output-based habit.

The amount of time and effort you need to put into it isn't fixed.

Personally, I use both of these types of habits in my own reading.

For my actual reading habit, I use an input-based goal, read for fifteen minutes every single

day and then once I've gotten into that, I usually read for longer and I start getting

more engaged.

Then, I use an output-based goal which is to write half a page of notes on what I'm

reading to make sure that I'm actively learning.

Whichever type you choose, it's also important to build a small reward into your habit.

Getting good grades is a good reward, but it's something that's a little too far off

to really count.

I would say, find something else that rewards you for getting the reading done every single

day.

For me, that's ticking off a daily habit [inaudible 06:13] which I've made a little bit more valuable

by creating a challenge in the College Info Geek guild.

If you want to join that, you can go to the companion blog post for this video which you'll

find linked down in the description.

Otherwise, you could do something else like watching an episode of your favorite show

on Netflix, playing a video game, or something else fun.

Make sure that you're building this loop of, "Here's a cue to do my reading, I'm going

to do the reading, and take the notes, then give myself a small reward to reinforce the

positive feeling I get from doing that reading."

That's it for this video.

If you want to get my tips on active reading which will come in the next video, then make

sure you subscribe to this channel and you'll get those right when they come out.

Otherwise, I will see you in that

next video.