Top Study Tips #2: Outline

So many students we work with has no tools when they begin with us.  They don't read the textbook, they don't study and they don't outline.  Yet, many students wonder why they can't remember all of the information in the textbook if they read it the night before the test. 

READING ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH

Reading is not studying.  Reading is just an overview of the information.  Reading the textbook helps us create a narrative around information so that we can better digest it.  

READING IS NOT STUDYING

Many students are puzzled when they don't score well.  They often plead with us and tell us they read the whole textbook the night before!  The issue is that reading something once or twice is not enough to help you recall information on a test.  It may not even be enough for what educators call "recognition."

OUTLINE, OUTLINE, OUTLINE

We recommend for all textbook-heavy classes--outlining.  We suggest making an outline, or an organized summary of the textbook as you study!  You can utilize the outline and study from that instead of relying on the textbook as you get closer to the text.