In 1941 a professor named Francis P. Robinson developed a method for effective study for his students which is still used today. It is called the "SQ3R" method. Students of any material can profit from using this technique. You do not have to be a college student to benefit. It is rather simple, as you'll see below: S is for "Survey"-Look over the entire text to be studied, observing what is there before reading in detail. Read any main headings. Just a quick survey , taking no more than two minutes.

Q is for "Question"-Ask yourself a question about each verse or paragraph of the text you read. It will help you concentrate on the context and meaning of the text, still not reading for detail. It's somewhat like playing "Jeopardy" where you ask a question based on some statement of fact and turn it into a question.

R is the first "R", for "Read"-Read the entire text for study , stopping before going on to the next paragraph or text in the context. Then read again observing details in the text and making notes. Some of what you will write will be answers to the questions you asked above. Some of it will be using other resources. You are now taking the passage apart into its details, interpreting and understanding the meaning.

R is the second "R", for "Recite"-Now state to yourself what you are reading and what is meant in the text you are studying. Put it into your own words. Say it aloud to yourself, or to a friend or family member. If you can't remember, just go back and reread the text and your notes.

R is the third "R", for "Review"-Go back over the text, reading it again for the whole meaning, not just noticing the details. Now you are putting the text back together into its whole. Read it again and begin to ask, "What does this mean to my life? How can I be a better Christian? What have I learned that will help me?"