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How to Handle Study a Textbook Step by Step

When study a textbook leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Optimizing Your Reading

Create questions based on your survey.

See if the headings and subheadings provide any clues to potential questions. For example, a section titled Causes of Alcoholism in a psychology textbook might easily be converted into a question you could see on an exam: What are the causes of alcoholism?

See if the headings and subheadings provide any clues to potential questions.
For example, a section titled Causes of Alcoholism in a psychology textbook might easily be converted into a question you could see on an exam: What are the causes of alcoholism?
See if the headings and subheadings provide any clues to potential questions.
For example, a section titled Causes of Alcoholism in a psychology textbook might easily be converted into a question you could see on an exam: What are the causes of alcoholism?
See if the headings and subheadings provide any clues to potential questions.

Part 2

Studying the Textbook

Read the entire chapter through.

On this read-through, don't take notes or do anything else; just read. You have two objectives in doing so. The first is to get a sense of the purpose of the chapter. Ask yourself: what is the author trying to convey in the chapter overall? Second, how does the author build the information or argument in the chapter? When you have a mental picture of these two questions, you can then begin taking notes that will benefit you in your study for exams and research papers.

On this read-through, don't take notes or do anything else; just read.
You have two objectives in doing so.
The first is to get a sense of the purpose of the chapter.
Ask yourself: what is the author trying to convey in the chapter overall?
Second, how does the author build the information or argument in the chapter?

Take notes on your reading.

Notes do not mean taking every word down verbatim. The art of note-taking involves discerning what is important and engaging with the material rather than just copying text out.

Notes do not mean taking every word down verbatim.
The art of note-taking involves discerning what is important and engaging with the material rather than just copying text out.
Notes do not mean taking every word down verbatim.
The art of note-taking involves discerning what is important and engaging with the material rather than just copying text out.
Notes do not mean taking every word down verbatim.

Create a study guide from your notes.

Begin by summarizing the chapter and its main points in your own words. This will tell you where your knowledge gaps are. Ask yourself questions about what you’ve read and the notes you took: What question does this information answer? and How does this information relate to other things? are good places to start.

Begin by summarizing the chapter and its main points in your own words.
This will tell you where your knowledge gaps are.
Ask yourself questions about what you’ve read and the notes you took: What question does this information answer?
and How does this information relate to other things?
are good places to start.

Part 3

Understanding Some Common Errors

Plan to read more than once.

Another common mistake students make is to read their textbook once and then never look at it again. A better strategy is to practice layered reading.

Another common mistake students make is to read their textbook once and then never look at it again.
A better strategy is to practice layered reading.
Another common mistake students make is to read their textbook once and then never look at it again.
A better strategy is to practice layered reading.
Another common mistake students make is to read their textbook once and then never look at it again.

Know that highlighting is not ideal for first-time reading.

While it’s tempting to break out the rainbow of highlighters when you read through a chapter, avoid this temptation. Research has shown that highlighting actually can hamper your reading because you may feel tempted to highlight every single thing you feel is important without thinking critically about the ideas presented.

While it’s tempting to break out the rainbow of highlighters when you read through a chapter, avoid this temptation.
Research has shown that highlighting actually can hamper your reading because you may feel tempted to highlight every single thing you feel is important without thinking critically about the ideas presented.
While it’s tempting to break out the rainbow of highlighters when you read through a chapter, avoid this temptation.
Research has shown that highlighting actually can hamper your reading because you may feel tempted to highlight every single thing you feel is important without thinking critically about the ideas presented.
While it’s tempting to break out the rainbow of highlighters when you read through a chapter, avoid this temptation.

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