Reading Textbooks

Most students start out the semester with the intent to read the textbook. However, often within a few weeks, the textbook stays closed and students miss out on this really useful learning aid. There a few common reasons why students don't read the textbook:

1. It is too difficult to understand. The text is full of new terms and wording that sounds way more complicated than it needs to be.

2. Students often get all the information they need from lecture. Getting the information is not the same as understanding it and it is important to supplement lecture with reading. 

3. There isn't enough time to read, or reading is a slow process. There are ways to make it easier and faster!

If a textbook is assigned in a Biology course, it is an important learning tool to use. Importantly, reading ahead of lecture has been shown to enhance understanding of lecture material and improve grades.

*Heiner, Cynthia & Banet, Amanda & Wieman, Carl. (2014). Preparing Students for Class: How to Get 80% of Students Reading the Textbook Before Class. American Journal of Physics. 82. 989-996. 

There are ways to change how you read so that reading textbooks can be easier, faster and more interesting and resources below can help you with this:

Watch 3 Simple Hacks to Remember Everything You Read (link here).

Watch 5 Ways to Read Faster That Actually Work (link here).

Watch How to Remember Everything You Read (link here).

Watch How to Read Faster & Speed Reading (link here).