Reading Textbook?

[mitrieD]

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Hello SDN'ers

I was curious if reading the textbook is correlated with obtaining a good grade in class. As we all know the text book has a lot of information that is not covered in lecture, but from what I've heard people with high GPA's tend to read the text book.

I always thought that listening to lecture and studying notes / lecture slides was enough for studying, but I may be wrong. Plus reading the textbook takes up so much time...

Whats your opinion?

Do you mainly focus on lecture or read the dense material in the book as well?

Thanks

 

[Hawkteeth]

It all depends on your teachers testing strategy, some only take info from their powerpoints while others also test on the book. I think it's good to help understand certain things but if it's not tested on, don't waste your time. Spend the extra time making awesome notes.

 

[UCSFx2017]

If ratemyprofessor says that powerpoints are sufficient, I just memorize the slides. If not, I memorize the outline of each chapter and then read through the book. Usually, memorizing powerpoints is enough.

I time myself and record my rate (# pages/hour) at the beginning of the semester so I can gauge how much time I need to spend per day and per week. Throughout the semester, I try to increase my speed. As you read, you should keep asking yourself "how?" and "why?" to help you read critically. It helps to question why the author wrote something the way they did just to help you process/organize information. Use mnemonics. Memorize & drill.

 

[premedCarl]

I find that reading entire chapters of the book out loud help me commit things to memory. But it can take 9 hours at a time. I have straight A's in my math and science classes.

Sent from my DROIDX using SDN Mobile

 

[UCSFx2017]

I also keep a watch on the desk. On a study weekend, I divide each day into increments of 3-hours. 6am-9am, 9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm, 3pm-6pm, and 6pm-9pm. I study straight for three hours, take a short break, then resume studying, and repeat. Days can go by real fast. I notice that when I read, I use curse words A LOT. Something about vulgar words makes things more memorable. Set yourself goals for the number of pages you plan to read every 15 minutes. If you notice that you haven't met your benchmark at that 15 minute mark because you daydreamed, you can quickly go back to the task. This helps to keep you focused.

I read somewhere that you can actually process text faster if you don't vocalize/sub-vocalize and instead use only your eyes and hands. They also said something about reading in thought groups instead of each individual word. For harder texts, you can slow down your pace. For popular news articles, I read and pass by sentences quickly. When I used to read the Bible, I had to read slower because each subject/object relationship, preposition, and the meaning of each noun was significant. Usually the pace of reading science textbooks is a lot like the pace of reading the latter.

http://english.glendale.cc.ca.us/speed1.html

 

[ktran17]

I've noticed that I tend to read my textbooks more in my lower division classes versus my upper division classes.

I think the reason is because in upper division classes like biochemistry, the textbook used is normally filled with much more information than necessary for the class. For example, at my school the bio major biochemistry class and the 1 year version offered to biochem major use the same textbook, but clearly they learn different things.

I think as you start learning more advanced things, textbooks end up being more of a resource used to look up specific details rather than something that you can rely on to prepare you for a an entire class.

I use a combination of power point slides and textbook guidance to help me get a good grade in my classes =)

 

[ATG20]

I've noticed that I tend to read my textbooks more in my lower division classes versus my upper division classes.

I think reason is because in upper division classes like biochemistry, the textbook used is normally filled with much more information than necessary for the class. For example, at my school the bio major biochemistry class and the 1 year version offered to biochem major use the same textbook, but clearly they learn different things.

I think as you start learning more advanced things, textbooks end up being more of a resource used to look up specific details rather than something that you can rely on to prepare you for a an entire class.

I use a combination of power point slides and textbook guidance to help me get a good grade in my classes =)

Dead true. A lot of my upper div BCH textbooks started becoming doorstoppers because they were being used only when I needed a specific, minute detail. I found SciLit journals more useful and cheaper at a certain point. The only texts I actually used were my physics, ochem, gchem and pchem books. All the bio stuff: notes or wiki.

OP, I'd say that the people with high GPAs tend to study for the test, not the course. What I mean is, for classes that aren't pertinent to your goals (say PoliSci or OChem) learn what is necessary to get the grade you want. I'd use ratemyprof dot com for tips, ask older students, or go up to the professor after class to ask how I should focus my studies. I usually worded it as 'So the takeaway material should be X and Y, while Z is just background, right?" They usually confirm or correct you, saving you loads of time in reading. You may not get all the background fluff in a course, but lets face it, if you were interested in the pursuit of knowledge, you'd probably be gearing towards a PhD program. Professional school admissions is a numbers game largely, and wasting time on material you won't be tested on, which you'll probably forget anyways is only going to hurt you.

The trick is not to be smart, but to be clever.

 

[mitrieD]

Dead true. A lot of my upper div BCH textbooks started becoming doorstoppers because they were being used only when I needed a specific, minute detail. I found SciLit journals more useful and cheaper at a certain point. The only texts I actually used were my physics, ochem, gchem and pchem books. All the bio stuff: notes or wiki.

OP, I'd say that the people with high GPAs tend to study for the test, not the course. What I mean is, for classes that aren't pertinent to your goals (say PoliSci or OChem) learn what is necessary to get the grade you want. I'd use ratemyprof dot com for tips, ask older students, or go up to the professor after class to ask how I should focus my studies. I usually worded it as 'So the takeaway material should be X and Y, while Z is just background, right?" They usually confirm or correct you, saving you loads of time in reading. You may not get all the background fluff in a course, but lets face it, if you were interested in the pursuit of knowledge, you'd probably be gearing towards a PhD program. Professional school admissions is a numbers game largely, and wasting time on material you won't be tested on, which you'll probably forget anyways is only going to hurt you.

The trick is not to be smart, but to be clever.

Exactly my point. To me it has always been -> master the lecture material. But most people that I've seen get the good grades in my science classes have been reading the text book as well as the lecture... I'm just looking for a correlation.

 

[ATG20]

Exactly my point. To me it has always been -> master the lecture material. But most people that I've seen get the good grades in my science classes have been reading the text book as well as the lecture... I'm just looking for a correlation.

Different strokes for different folks. Some people can read condensed notes and take away the big picture, enough so that they can apply it to any question on the exam. Other students need a very detailed approach which is more text-based. There's no wrong way to study and if you're starting college, it takes a few quarters to get a feel for things.

From my experience though, a lot of the high-achieving people didn't read the book, but used a combination of resources (wiki, articles, notes). Don't be so certain about people's grades just because they may be be outspoken and lug around the text. Some of the worst performing people in my biochem courses regularly toted around our tome of a book.

 

[KittySquared]

I also keep a watch on the desk. On a study weekend, I divide each day into increments of 3-hours. 6am-9am, 9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm, 3pm-6pm, and 6pm-9pm. I study straight for three hours, take a short break, then resume studying, and repeat. Days can go by real fast. I notice that when I read, I use curse words A LOT. Something about vulgar words makes things more memorable. Set yourself goals for the number of pages you plan to read every 15 minutes. If you notice that you haven't met your benchmark at that 15 minute mark because you daydreamed, you can quickly go back to the task. This helps to keep you focused.

Haha you must be quite the character. But there's actually neurobiological basis for your cursing and information recall. When you maximize usage of more areas of the brain to memorize information, you can recall much more quickly and effectively. Try clenching your right fist when you're trying to memorize a list, and when you're trying to recall, clench your left fist.


To the OP:

I have legitimately never read through any of my textbooks and have always managed to get decent grades. I always go through lecture powerpoints and transcribe lectures associated with each slide since I was trained as a classical pianist and can leisurely type at over 120 wpm while still paying attention. You can even record lectures. Sometimes professors recycle old exams questions/concepts they slip out during lecture that no one seems to catch. The most I ever do with a textbook is to look at tables/charts and the chapter outlines in the book. Thoroughly going through my transcribes/outlines has always worked.

 

[roquer2]

Here's my primary example on getting good grades with or without a textbook (my PERSONAL opinion/experience)

It's like this for example: The only information you need to know about a toilet is you excrete, flush and leave the lid down for the women. That's all you need to know. But if you want, go and research how a toilet is made, what material is used, how it works mechanically, etc. It's cool to know facts behind the toilet, but ffs it's a toilet!

With that said, from my experience I've spent and thrown away money on textbooks that have yet to see the light of day. The past 9-10 upperdivision and science classes taken, I've read a total of 30-40 pages in ALL, from my Ochem and Biochem text.

Textbooks help, sure, but this is a lesson I've learned when I was doing mediocre in my first year and half of undergrad to today (3 years later): I've always followed a path taken by many upperclassmen before me and by word of mouth. It was until I branched off from that norm, studied my own unique way, and made it a habit that instead of being in the middle of the pack of class grade averages, I was the lone bar at the top of the statistic graph/curve. My point, people can repeat the same things on how to study and what they used as guidelines. It's until you find your own way of studying that you can blaze your own trail of A's. That's the truth.

There's no clearcut ingredient to pumping out A's. It's a combination of things. Everyone has their own combination. Some use textbooks, some don't. Some go thru study groups, others go at it alone. Find your niche, tell yourself there's no reason you can't ace a class when you have the information available in various forms. Honestly, it comes down to what kind of time you put into it, and if you allow yourself to get A or not.

 

[funkyCHICKEN]

usually really high achieving people do that. if u are one, go for it. It shouldn't hurt u, nah mean.

 

[Glimmer1991]

I have never really read through a textbook. I have found that I only *really* used textbooks in OC, GC, and one random honors class where the teacher was just awful. Most other textbooks--especially in bio classes--just sit out on my desk and never get touched. I memorize my notes word-for-word and also take EXTREMELY detailed notes during class; I can also type really fast like Kitty and basically get down everything my professor says.

I have a 3.97.

 

[bambam92]

Hello SDN'ers

I was curious if reading the textbook is correlated with obtaining a good grade in class. As we all know the text book has a lot of information that is not covered in lecture, but from what I've heard people with high GPA's tend to read the text book.

I always thought that listening to lecture and studying notes / lecture slides was enough for studying, but I may be wrong. Plus reading the textbook takes up so much time...

Whats your opinion?

Do you mainly focus on lecture or read the dense material in the book as well?

Thanks

I am a person that only goes to classes if the prof takes attendance. I find that reading the textbook and really knowing it is the way to go! Most prof's only put enough in their slides to earn a B/B- to get that A there WILL be things that were only in the text!! I have many friends that go to all classes and take perfect notes but come the exam I blow them away. And they got pissed cause I am never in class, but I just tell them I read the book while they don't crack the book--rather they just rely on their notes and lecture slides. Note: It will be time consuming going through the whole book for each exam...but its worth it!!Just got a 102 on my anatomy final using this method. Now granted I am not a 4.0 student, but I do have a cumulative GPA of 3.83 and am going into my junior year so this is something I feel really works. Good luck OP

 

[mitrieD]

I am a person that only goes to classes if the prof takes attendance. I find that reading the textbook and really knowing it is the way to go! Most prof's only put enough in their slides to earn a B/B- to get that A there WILL be things that were only in the text!! I have many friends that go to all classes and take perfect notes but come the exam I blow them away. And they got p***ed cause I am never in class, but I just tell them I read the book while they don't crack the book--rather they just rely on their notes and lecture slides. Note: It will be time consuming going through the whole book for each exam...but its worth it!!Just got a 102 on my anatomy final using this method. Now granted I am not a 4.0 student, but I do have a cumulative GPA of 3.83 and am going into my junior year so this is something I feel really works. Good luck OP

Thanks for the response. But yea, there always seems to be 10-15% of every exam that requires knowledge from the text book...

 

[LaughingGas]

If I ever read texbooks b/c I miss a class or something, I ask myself what professor would ask from this textbook. That helps me extract only handful of useful information.
It was a nightmare when I had to read biochemistry by voet and voet...

 

[TJNova2011]

If I ever read texbooks b/c I miss a class or something, I ask myself what professor would ask from this textbook. That helps me extract only handful of useful information.
It was a nightmare when I had to read biochemistry by voet and voet...

only text book y'all need is the dagone bible.....

 

[tommyinVA]

To the OP:

I have legitimately never read through any of my textbooks and have always managed to get decent grades. I always go through lecture powerpoints and transcribe lectures associated with each slide since I was trained as a classical pianist and can leisurely type at over 120 wpm while still paying attention. You can even record lectures. Sometimes professors recycle old exams questions/concepts they slip out during lecture that no one seems to catch. The most I ever do with a textbook is to look at tables/charts and the chapter outlines in the book. Thoroughly going through my transcribes/outlines has always worked.

i hat eoyu.

 

[mitrieD]

Here's what concerns me. I've noticed that lower division sciences tend to test on what was covered in class.... but upper division courses tend to test on the subject matter a lot more than just lecture material.

 

[tommyinVA]

Here's what concerns me. I've noticed that lower division sciences tend to test on what was covered in class.... but upper division courses tend to test on the subject matter a lot more than just lecture material.

Upper division courses should be testing more on your comprehension of the material. That means you should understand the concept that's being taught and be able to apply it. If you understand that from the lectures, great. If not, read the text. If you still don't get it, go talk to your prof. At least by that point you'll be able to show him/her that you've made an attempt at learning the material.

 

[ghn3922]

Maybe something that will help the OP and the rest of us lurkers following this thread is if everyone shared how they study exactly? For example flash cards, hi-lighting the textbook or lecture powerpoints, rereading the text 10 times over, outlines... Everyone studies differently, so maybe a few suggestions might be helpful?

 

[mitrieD]

Maybe something that will help the OP and the rest of us lurkers following this thread is if everyone shared how they study exactly? For example flash cards, hi-lighting the textbook or lecture powerpoints, rereading the text 10 times over, outlines... Everyone studies differently, so maybe a few suggestions might be helpful?

Its alright I think I got it. I just searched other threads on study strategies. Helped a lot...


thanks for the input 👍😀