1. Look at the syllabus and learning outcomes
2. Look at the contents page of the textbook
3. Skim through the chapter. Read the introduction and summary. Skim topic headings, bold-faced words, pictures, charts, and graphs to get an idea of the general structure and content before beginning to read.
4. Look at the diagrams (are there links to other information? related information?)
5. Ask yourself: What do I know well being described in the text? Where is the limit of my knowledge?
6. Look at the end of the chapter and see if they have any worked examples or free-form questions they ask? Look at how questions are being asked.
7. If it’s a written exam, flashcards aren’t the correct format to practice. If it’s an oral, multiple choice questions aren’t the correct format to practice.
8. Start to generate some active recall questions (rather than passively reading and taking notes) and write them down in your notes. Formulate a purpose for the reading by developing questions from the topic and headings skimmed in the survey step. Ask who, what, where, when, why, and how questions: the best questions are general, covering main topics and important points. Talk through the material and verbalize your thoughts in order to internalize the material.
9. Break the material into sections which take about 20 minutes to read and go section by section. Look for answers to your questions, key concepts, and supporting details. Study charts, graphs, tables, and pictures which serve to present new information and tie together concepts from the reading.
10. After each section, think about the material you have just read and answer the questions you have asked. This can be done during the reading step, since response is often automatic. The purpose of this step is to think about the material and take notice of what is important.
    1. Write everything by hand. Don’t use your computer.
    2. Don’t write anything verbatim. Use your own words.
    3. Build as you read by asking how paragraphs and sections relate to prior paragraphs and sections.
    4. Write down important ideas and concepts after each intense study session (your study session might be 30 mins, 60 mins, or 90 mins)
11. Go back and underline key concepts after each reading section and take notes.
12. Focus on the diagrams. Would you be able to draw the diagram yourself comprehensively?
13. Terms you don’t understand should be looked up on YouTube or another resource
14. Jump into past papers, exams, and question banks.
15. Think of why this is important? What jobs would use this? How is it applicable in real life?
16. After reading each section, generating questions, metacognitive thinking, think about whether you can explain what you just read to someone. Next, look away from the material and try to recite the key information and ideas in your own words. Reread the material until you are able to recall the most important points. This may be frustrating at first, but will lead to better understanding and save review time in the long run.
17. Whatever you don’t understand or have trouble explaining, check yourself against your textbook/notes. Try to use video and audio resources instead of solely going back to the same material/notes (video and audio also help reduce cognitive load?)
18. Study using spacing