Main Ideas

SELECTING MAIN IDEAS:

Your ability to decipher key concepts/information while reading and listening.

THIS SKILL IS GOOD TO PRIORITIZE IF…

You find it difficult to identify the most important ideas in a lecture or reading.

You are overwhelmed by the amount of reading you need to do and don’t know what to focus on first.

You study for hours for tests only to find that you didn’t spend enough time on areas that the Prof prioritized.

You don’t want to waste time when you study – you want to get quickly to what you need to know and focus on that.

STEP 1: WATCH THIS!

STEP 2: TRY THIS!

Play Detective

Prepare to read and learn by noting the chapter names and headings in your textbook and the lecture outline in your syllabus.
Look for the repetition of ideas in your readings and lectures.
Read one paragraph in your textbook, ask yourself, what was the main idea of that paragraph?

Love Summary

Pay attention to the final paragraph or concluding sentence in your readings, typically they summarize the main idea.
The same day you attended a lecture, review your class notes.
At the end of your notes, write a short 5 sentence summary of your key points of learning

Question Everything

Ask your Professor to clarify what they mean if you’re uncertain.
Take time to comprehend your learning; asking why and how?
Identify in your readings and lecture notes what could be potential exam questions.
Think outside the box, see how you can apply what you are learning to other situations.

STEP 3: MAKE THIS A HABIT – SOME IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED

1

Before you read or attend a lecture, jot down what you already
know about the topic and record what you would like to know.

2

Commit to regularly reading your textbook, as you read a section, write down in your own words what the main idea was, at the end of the chapter, see if you can summarise the key points of the whole chapter.

3

Discuss with a friend what stood out to you in class today and why

4

Before you read or attend a lecture, jot down what you already
know about the topic and record what you would like to know

5

Once the reading and/or lecture is complete, record what you learned.
Are there still areas you want to know that are left open,
do further research to find the answers.

Additonal Resources

See the below list of links for additional support:

If you would like to talk any of this through then we look forward to talking to you. Book an appointment!