"How to Skim Guide" from College Success Plan

Skim the Chapter Reading
You don’t have to read it all, but you can make it seem like you did!
Before you start reading:
Read the Syllabus

• Often your professor will give hints or tell you what info you are reading for
•  Skim the main points of the chapter ahead of time
• You get the general topics and the big picture/overview
• Preview end of chapter questions and make note of concepts
• Make note: What is the overall purpose of this chapter?
  
  • Write down your ideas and thoughts on this

 Skimming the Chapter:
Read the Introduction and Conclusion carefully

• Write out main idea of Introduction and Conclusion
• Ask yourself: “What is this chapter about?”
  
• See if it matches your idea of overall purpose of chapter
  
• Make changes or add concepts

 For each section in chapters:

• Write each heading as a question
  
• As you skim, take notes of items that answer that question
• Skim for passages that support the main idea
• Annotate, highlight or mark sentences that catch your attention
• Make note of key concepts of the section, vocab words and any pictures or chart

 In class during lectures:

• Pick up on points missed and add to your notes

 After class:

• Create a weekly summary sheet for key notes from reading and lecture
• Create potential test questions from your summary sheet
• This is essentially creating a study guide for exams

 
Before the Exam:

• Review your lecture notes
• Review your chapter reading notes
• Review sentences you marked or highlighted in the book

 Office Hours:

• Bring your notes in and review any questions with professor
• Your professor will let you know if you’re on the right track
• Take notes on what your professors says