How to Study Effectively with the New SQ3R Method

Do you want to improve your study skills and get better grades? If so, you might have heard of the SQ3R method, one of the most popular study strategies that students use to read and study for tests. But did you know that the SQ3R method is outdated? It was introduced in the 1940s, which is almost 100 years ago. And since then, research has found better ways for us to study.

In this blog post, we will show you how to update the SQ3R method with the latest scientific findings and make it more effective for your learning. We will explain what the old SQ3R method is, what the problems are, and how to fix them with our new SQ3R method. We will also give you some tips on how to apply the new SQ3R method to your own studies.

What is the old SQ3R method?

The old SQ3R method stands for survey, question, read, recite, and review. It is a five-step process that helps you read and understand a textbook chapter or any other material. Here is how it works:

• Survey: You survey what you are about to read, and then you form questions based on what you surveyed. You quickly flip through the chapter, and you read all the headings, the bold words, the key terms, and look at pictures and diagrams. You want to get a general idea of what you are about to learn and see how the author organizes the information.

• Question: You form questions based on what you surveyed. You can use the headings and subheadings as guides to create questions. For example, if the heading is “What is Photosynthesis?"" you can ask yourself, “What is photosynthesis and why is it important?” These questions will help you focus on the main points and create a sense of curiosity.

• You read the book to find the answers to those questions. You read actively and critically, trying to understand the concepts and arguments. You also look for evidence and examples that support the claims. You can highlight or underline the important information, but do not overdo it.

• Recite: You recite the answers to the questions out loud, so you understand them in your own words. You can use your own voice or write them down. These answers become your notes. You want to make sure that you can explain the information clearly and concisely without looking at the book. This will help you check your comprehension and retention.

• Review: You review all those notes before you take your test. You can use different methods to review, such as rereading, summarizing, or quizzing yourself. You want to refresh your memory and reinforce your learning.

What are the problems with the old SQ3R method?

The old SQ3R method may sound reasonable and effective, but it has some major flaws. Here are some of the problems with the old SQ3R method:

• It is inefficient. The old SQ3R method teaches you to write down notes and then review those notes for your exam. Well, the problem here is that science actually shows this to be an inefficient way to study. Writing down notes and reviewing them does not help you remember the information for long. It only gives you a false sense of confidence and familiarity. You may think you know the material, but you actually forget most of it soon after.

• It is passive. The old SQ3R method does not involve much active learning. Active learning is when you actively engage with the material and test yourself on it. Active learning is proven to be more effective than passive learning, which is when you just read or listen to the material without doing anything else. Passive learning does not challenge your brain enough and does not help you transfer the information to long-term memory.

• It is outdated. The old SQ3R method was developed in the 1940s, when research on learning and memory was not as advanced as it is today. Since then, many studies have discovered better ways to study, such as active recall, spaced repetition, and the Feynman technique. These methods are based on how the brain actually works and how to optimize its performance. The old SQ3R method does not incorporate these methods and therefore does not reflect the current understanding of learning science.

How do I fix the old SQ3R method with the new SQ3R method?

We know that students are looking for better ways to study. So we went ahead and revamped the SQ3R method, and our new method will help you read the material, understand it, and remember it so that you can get better grades. The new SQ3R method still has five steps, but we have a different take on the Q, and we want to change all three of the Rs into something else, something better: rephrase, recall, and repetition. Here is how the new SQ3R method works:

• Survey: The S is going to stay the same; it is still a survey. You still want to survey what you are about to read and get a general overview of the material. This will help you activate your prior knowledge and prepare your brain for learning.

• Question: The Q is going to be different; it is still a question, but we suggest you go straight to the source. Instead of forming questions about what you just surveyed, we suggest you use the questions that are already provided by the textbook, the teacher, or the test. If there are practice questions in your textbook or review questions at the end of the chapter, then use these as your guide. You can also ask your teacher directly since they are probably making the exam, or you can ask for old practice tests if they are available. These questions are important because, A, they are your notes, and B, they force you to read with purpose. You are trying to read to find answers to these questions.

• Rephrase: The first R is going to be rephrased. This is going to help you understand the information. As you are reading and you find an answer to one of the questions you just wrote, you want to rephrase this information and pretend to teach it back to someone who does not understand it. This means that you cannot use complicated words, but you have to rephrase them in a way that they can understand them. And write this all out word for word if you need to; these are part of your notes. But if you are having trouble explaining the information in your own words, then you probably do not understand it well enough. This step is based on the Feynman technique, which is a powerful way to learn anything by teaching it to someone else.

• Recall: The next R is going to be recall. This is going to help you remember what you have read. The old SQ3R method tells us to review our notes, but the better strategy is to recall our notes. Recall is when you try to remember the information without looking at your notes or the book. Recall is based on active recall, which is the most effective way to study and improve your memory. Here is how you do it:. When it is time to study for your test, go back to your questions from step Q and do not look at the answers; just read the question, and then try to recall the answer without peeking. One of the best ways to ensure that you cannot cheat or look at your notes is by using flashcards. And we highly recommend you make digital flashcards instead of writing them out on pieces of paper, but recall forces you to study in the exact way that you will be tested, which is better than reviewing, which is just rereading your notes.

• Repetition: The last R is going to be repetition. You want to use this in combination with Recall to further solidify the information in your memory. By repetition, we mean spaced repetition, spacing out how often you are going to practice recall. Spaced repetition is based on the spacing effect, which is the phenomenon that information is better remembered when it is repeated over time rather than in one sitting. Here is how you can do it. One day after your exposure to the material, you want to practice recalling the information again, and then four days later, you want to practice recalling it again. And then, a week later, recall it again. You want to space it out. Just go through the questions that you wrote in step Q and then practice recalling the information again and again, and over time, it will stick. If you are many days out but then cannot recall the information, then we would restart the whole cycle and start with day one again.

How Do You Apply the New SQ3R Method to Your Own Studies?

So, that is our new SQ3R method. We found success using it all throughout medical school, and our hope is that you can find success too if you use it in your own studies. Here are some tips on how to apply the new SQ3R method to your own studies:

• Start early: The new SQ3R method requires time and effort, so you want to start as early as possible, preferably before the lecture or the class. This will give you enough time to survey the material, write down the questions, read and rephrase the answers, and practice recall and repetition. Do not procrastinate or cram, because that will not work with the new SQ3R method.

• Be consistent: The new SQ3R method requires consistency and discipline, so you want to stick to your schedule and follow the steps. Do not skip any step or cut any corner, because that will reduce the effectiveness of the method. Do not give up or get discouraged, because the new SQ3R method will pay off in the long run.

• Be flexible: The new SQ3R method is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so you want to adapt it to your own needs and preferences. You can modify the steps, change the order, or add new techniques. You can also combine it with other study methods or tools, such as mind maps, concept maps, or mnemonic devices. The key is to find what works best for you and make it your own.

• Be patient: The new SQ3R method is not a quick fix, so you want to be patient and give it time to work. You may not see the results immediately, but you will see them gradually over time. The new SQ3R method is a long-term strategy that will help you build strong study habits, improve your learning skills, and achieve academic success.

In conclusion, the new SQ3R method is a powerful study strategy that can help you read, understand, and remember the material more effectively. It is based on the latest scientific findings and incorporates the best practices for learning science. It is a practical and proven method that can help you get better grades and achieve your academic goals. So why not give it a try and see how it can transform your studies?

Remember, the key to effective studying isn’t just about how much time you spend, but how you use that time. With the new SQ3R method, you can make your study time more productive, more enjoyable, and more successful. Happy studying!

We hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you. And if you know someone who could benefit from this information, please share it with them. Let’s help each other learn better and achieve more. Thank you for reading!