SQ3R
SQ3R is a well-known strategy to increase engagement in and retention of readings.
It works best with non-fiction. The term is an acronym:
Survey
Look over the chapter, skimming any visuals and section headers.
Think about what you already know about this topic.
Make predictions about what you’ll be reading about – even if you’re wrong, engaging with the text makes it more likely you’ll remember what you’ve read.
While you’re surveying….
Question
If you have been provided comprehension questions (by the professor or in the textbook chapter), look over those before reading.
If not, create questions by adding a word or two to each section heading:
Ex. For a section called “Causes of the Civil War” write “What were the causes of the Civil War?”
Other questions might ask why something or someone is important, how someone rose to power, what a theory proposes, etc.
*Before you read, make a list of any words you see that you don’t know and write down their definition before you start reading. This way, you won’t interrupt your reading flow when you encounter those words in the text. (Those definitions are also now part of your study guide.)
Read
Read the text, highlighting as you go. (See Elizabeth’s highlighting tips)
Recite
Answer the questions from the professor or those you created yourself. (Put your answers down on paper – don’t just do this mentally.)
Review
Your written answers to the comprehension questions can serve as a study guide. (If you want to take additional notes on information you’ve highlighted, see Step 3 in my general reading strategies for suggestions.)
Research shows that testing yourself several times over a period of time (called distributed practice) helps you to remember information. Once a week, try to answer the comprehension questions on paper without looking at your notes. (You don’t have to write complete sentences, but make sure you get down important points. You’re rehearsing how you’ll respond on exams.)
When it comes time for your exams, you’ll likely find that studying doesn’t take that long because all of that practice should make it easy to recall the information you need to know.
Learn more about reading strategies
SQ3R is one of many approaches you can use to get through reading assignments more efficiently. For more techniques, see these general reading strategies on my site (including tips for highlighting)
I also wrote additional tips for ADDitude Magazine that you may want to check out.
1) Follow the process to sign you want to use your accommodations again
You may be surprised to hear that DS likely won’t assume you want to use your accommodations each term. They may email you before the start to ask if you want to do so. You may have to simply respond to the email or log into their accommodations system and provide the information they require, such as class sections and professor names.
I’ve written more about this renewal process, and also about what happens if students didn’t use their accommodations last term.
As with everything, you’re responsible for how quickly you do this.
2) Follow DS’s processes for communication and complete their accommodation processes
As discussed above, you’ll likely have some responsibility for informing your professors (and others who need to know) about your approved accommodations. You’ll also have to alert DS to your upcoming exams, texts and materials you need in alt format, and more.
