How to Study

Develop Good Reading Habits
It’s difficult for anyone to remember what he read at 3 a.m. or while
waiting to go on the biggest date of his life. Set aside quiet time when
you’re at your best. Are you a morning person? Then wake up early
to do your reading. Do you get going at 6 p.m.? Then get your read-
ing done before heading out to dinner.
Don’t forget to use your dictionary to look up terms you don’t 
understand.
Why We Forget
As you think about the elements of developing good memory, you
can use them to address why you forget. The root of poor memory 
is usually found in one of these areas:
How to Study
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We fail to make the material meaningful. 
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We did not learn prerequisite material. 
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We fail to grasp what is to be remembered. 
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We do not have the desire to remember. 
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We allow apathy or boredom to dictate how we learn. 
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We have no set habit for learning. 
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We are disorganized and inefficient in our use of study time. 
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We do not use the knowledge we have gained. 
All of us are inundated with information every day, bombarded with
facts, concepts, and opinions. We are capable of absorbing some
information simply because the media drench us with it. In order to
retain most information, we have to make a concerted effort to do
so. We must make this same effort with the material we read.
In Case You Forgot
Each time you attempt to read something that you must recall, use
this six-step process to ensure you’ll remember:
1. Evaluate the material and define your purpose for reading.
Identify your interest level and get a sense of how difficult the
material is. 
2. Choose appropriate reading techniques for the purpose of
your reading.