Predict or anticipate what a reading assignment will cover. Monitor your comprehension as you read by surveying the chapter to get an overview and by formulating questions to guide your reading and predict outcomes.

Use RMO, a three-step process of read, mark and organize. Read carefully, one section at a time. Mark your textbook by underlining important information and summarizing key ideas or concepts in the margin. For example, in a math chapter you could briefly list the steps for solving a problem, or you could restate a rule or principle in your own words. To organize information that you want to remember, make notes or study goodies. Make lists or note cards of vocabulary words or verb conjugations for a language class. These activities help you to read actively and retain information.

As you recite and review, apply the standard of usefulness to evaluate your progress by making connections between newly acquired knowledge or skills and what you already know. For a math course, whenever you review, distinguish the principles, rules, and types of problems that you understand from those that need more review. Spend most of your time reviewing material that you have not learned sufficiently.

The most important step in studying for a skill-development course is the practice of new skills. For a math course do exercises and solve example problems. For a language course, complete exercises that require you to speak, write, and translate in your new language. By attempting to do exercises and problems, you learn whether you are able to apply your knowledge to new situations and you discover your strengths and weaknesses. To ensure that you get enough practice, always complete all exercises in a math or language chapter.