The Best Way to Read a Textbook

Start Backwards

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In case you missed it, a textbook is not a novel. You don’t read it for pleasure, enjoyment, or escape. Who knew, right?

Textbooks are meant for sharing ideas and information through explanation and examples.

Textbooks make good doorstops. But only after you graduate.

In order to read a textbook to inform and educate yourself, follow this plan.

Read backwards

1. Start at the end of the chapter. Remember, this isn’t a novella, you won’t ruin the surprise ending by flipping to the end of the chapter. Most textbooks have questions or a review section at the end of the chapter. This is where you should start.
2. Read the questions and answer them if you can. Pay attention to key words and ideas. You’re priming your brain for the information to come.
3. Right before that question section is probably a Chapter Summary section. Read that next. This will give you a solid but concise overview of the chapter. Yup, you’re still priming the pump here.
4. As you move backwards, flip through the pages and read the headings and the subdivisions of the chapter.
5. Finally, read the chapter introduction.
6. Then progress through the…