Dear Sue,
Thank you so much for your tips on enhancing concentration. I have worked them through with my 8th-grade daughter, whom I’m sure will benefit from your advice. Do you have any tips regarding study methods? How can she make the best use of her study sessions? We are both stressed out.
Tracy
Dear Tracy
It’s that time of year when students and parents start to feel the heat of exam pressure. It’s perfectly normal to be a bit nervous, but when stress gets out of hand, it can cloud thinking, disturb sleep, mess with appetite, and affect overall health. The good news? Effective studying can help manage stress and boost confidence.
There are many study methods out there, but one tried-and-tested technique that works across most subjects is the SQ3R Method. It’s especially useful for subjects like History, Science, and Geography — anything that requires detailed information and extensive reading.
The SQ3R method – A 5-step strategy
Let us presume that we need to study History, and in particular, the following paragraph regarding the attack on Pearl Harbor:
“Just before 8 am. on December 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. The barrage lasted just two hours, but it was devastating: The Japanese managed to destroy nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight enormous battleships and more than 300 airplanes. More than 2,000 American soldiers and sailors died in the attack, and another 1,000 were wounded. The day after the assault, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan; Congress approved his declaration with just one dissenting vote. Three days later, Japan allied with Germany, and Italy also declared war on the United States, and again, Congress reciprocated. More than two years into the conflict, America had finally joined World War II.”
Step 1: (S) Survey the content
Skim over the passage, identify ideas or facts, and begin formulating questions about the passage’s content.
Step 2: (Q) Question
Formulate detailed questions about the content, for example,
- What is this passage about? Answer: The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
- What questions about Pearl Harbor are answered in the passage? Answer: When, what, how, who, etc.
- How does this information help me? Answer: It provides the date, time, place, details, and consequences.
Step 3: (R1) Read actively
Considering what you have taken in at a glance (skimmed) and the questions you have formulated regarding the passage, now read actively. Active reading implies that you read to gain the knowledge you need to answer the questions you have formulated in Step 2.
Be careful not to read passively because passive reading is reading without engaging in the content you must study.
Step 4: (R2) Recite or write what you have read
Many students prefer to write responses to their questions as formulated in Step 2, but you may find that you prefer to recite them, for example:
- When did this happen? December 7, 1941
- How long did the attack last? Two hours
- How did this happen? The Japanese destroyed nearly 20 American vessels, including eight big battleships and 300 airplanes.
- How many deaths?
- How many were wounded, etc?
Answer these questions in your own words, making the information your own. Students who enjoy graphics may draw pictures to enhance their learning experience.
Step 5: (R3) Read and review
Use a sheet of paper and test yourself. Recall the questions you have formulated, remember the key phrases and words, and test your knowledge of the content. Make notes about forgotten information and return to actively rereading the relevant parts.
Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until you are confident that you know all the details.
This method trains the brain to engage with material more deeply, rather than passively rereading or memorizing. It turns study time into a strategic, active process — and that’s when real learning happens.
Break long chapters into smaller parts and study them using the same method. And one last golden rule: Always know your headings and the structure of your material. It helps you match your knowledge to the right questions in an exam.
Hang in there — you’re doing great just by asking the right questions!
Warm regards,
Sue
More about Sue
Sue is an educational specialist in learning difficulties with a B.A. Honors in Psychology and a B.D. degree. Early in her career, Sue was instrumental in training over 3,000 teachers and tutors, providing them with the foundational and practical understanding to facilitate cognitive development among children who struggle to read and write. With over 30 years of research to her name, she conceptualized the Edublox teaching and learning methods that have helped thousands of children worldwide. In 2007, she opened the first Edublox reading and learning clinic; today, there are 30 clinics internationally. Sue treasures the “hero” stories of students whose self-esteem soars as their marks improve.
