Chapter 5 : Am I doing it right ( 3 )

5.3 How do I read quickly?

Before you start reading, have an aim of what you want to know about the subject. This will lead to an active learning. Write down some questions before reading and aim to answer them after reading the capter. You will remain focused and try to find the answers to your questions.

There are three stages to reading textbooks for studying and outlining : Skimming, Thorough Reading and Attentive Reading.

1. Skimming is a process of familiarising yourself by skimming through the text. You are only interested in getting an overview of the material and looking for a theme.

2. Thorough Reading is concerned with focusing on the main and important ideas of the materials. This is the time when you stop and make mental pictures of what you are reading.

3. Attentive Reading is where the learning and understanding of the material takes place. Create questions while you are reading the material. Try to think of the questions that could be asked about the material.

Active study strategies :

# Make condensed summaries / outlines of chapters or big topics

# Organise ideas in charts or graphs

# Complete questions at the ends of each chapter

# Draw pictures, make and label diagrams or processes / systems / Create time lines

# Make note cards for vocabulary or formulas

# Create a list of the 20 most important questions or ideas.

# Write a list of questions / topics to take to a study group

# Explain concepts in your own words

# Work problems until solving them becomes second nature

                        (AAC Study Tips, Ohio University)

To study medicine without books is to sail an unchartered sea, while to study medicine only from the books is not to go to sea at all.

                                                ( Sir Wlilliam Osler )

For tips on speed reading, comprehensing and taking notes from a textbook, refer to Appendix 4 (Speed Reading and Comprehension), 5 ( Effective Reading and Comprehension) and 6 ( Taking Notes from A Textbook ).

(How to become a good & successful medical student; Muhaya Hj Mohamad)