SQ3R reading method

This is sort of optimization of the reading process. SQRRR or SQ3R is a reading comprehension method named for its five steps: survey, question, read, recite and review. The method was introduced by Francis P. Robinson, an American education philosopher in his 1946 book Effective Study.

Similar methods developed subsequently include PQRST and KWL table.
— Wikipedia

Transclude of SQ3R.excalidraw

General idea is repeating the process of reading, which helps to understand and remember material better. This isn’t wasting time, actually if you want to understand some material in details this is usually required.

What SQ3R stands for?::Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review

How I use it

• 1-2 initialization, skim material and write questions
• 3-4 read/write answers
• 5 repeating, what I wrote, can I explain it

1. Survey - reading, bold terms

Skim material, quickly check key terms, bold/italic items, headings, images, tables, etc.

2. Question - practice questions, read with purpose

Find chapter/article questions if existed, or try to find them yourself (maybe in summary, or in the end of the chapter).

3. Read/Rephrase - teach it to someone who doesn’t know

After you read the chapter, try to answer the questions you found in the previous step. So you explain things to “virtual” person or actually to someone else. Or to pet?

4. Recall - active recall - flashcards

Write flashcards/notes in your own words, this give you a chance to see what you really know and what you don’t know. And later you can use them to test yourself. This process is linked with Read/Rephrase.

5. Repetition - spaced repetition

Use flashcards to test yourself, and repeat the process.

General tips

• Repetition over time
• Get main idea first
• Implement solution yourself
• Make flash cards
• Review flash cards when you have time
• Progress is more important than perfection

Notes

I generally use daily, weekly and yearly notes.