How to Skim Read — College Success Plan

Skim the Chapter Reading
You don’t have to read it all, but you can make it seem like you did!

Before you start reading:
Read the Syllabus

• Often your professor will give hints or tell you what info you are reading for

• Skim the main points of the chapter ahead of time

• You get the general topics and the big picture/overview

• Preview end of chapter questions and make note of concepts

• Make note: What is the overall purpose of this chapter?
  

  • Write down your ideas and thoughts on this

Skimming the Chapter:
Read the Introduction and Conclusion carefully

• Write out main idea of Introduction and Conclusion

• Ask yourself: “What is this chapter about?”
  

• See if it matches your idea of overall purpose of chapter
  

• Make changes or add concepts

For each section in chapters:

• Write each heading as a question
  

• As you skim, take notes of items that answer that question

• Skim for passages that support the main idea

• Annotate, highlight or mark sentences that catch your attention

• Make note of key concepts of the section, vocab words and any pictures or chart

In class during lectures:

• Pick up on points missed and add to your notes

After class:

• Create a weekly summary sheet for key notes from reading and lecture

• Create potential test questions from your summary sheet

• This is essentially creating a study guide for exams

Before the Exam:

• Review your lecture notes

• Review your chapter reading notes

• Review sentences you marked or highlighted in the book

Office Hours:

• Bring your notes in and review any questions with professor

• Your professor will let you know if you’re on the right track

• Take notes on what your professors says