Improve Your Understanding, Learning and Retention With SQ3R 

With so much information to take in every day it can be hard to take in what you've read.
SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recall, Review) is a technique that can help you to understand and retain what you've read.
1. Survey
First, skim through your material to decide if it's what you need.

2. Question
If the piece is worth reading in depth, note down what you need to look out for. What questions do you need to answer?

3. Read
Now, read your document carefully, staying focused and attentive. As you read, turn every subhead or chapter title into a question...

...so "Flying Business Class: A Cost Cost-Benefit Analysis" becomes "Should I Fly Business Class?" 

Think about your answers carefully.

4. Recall
After reading the appropriate parts of the document, take a little time to run them through your mind.

Now, using only your memory, go back to the questions you formed and try to answer each one. Only turn to the text if you really can't remember.

5. Review
Read the document again. Discuss the material with someone else to test your understanding. Finally, schedule regular reviews of the material.


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