Most of you have been in school for many years and need no advice about how to approach a new class. However, for those who may be returning to school after several years, or who find they are not doing as well in college as they expected, these tips may be helpful.

1. Buy an ample supply of highlighters or pens to underline your text. Highlighting the important points as you read saves you many hours when it is time to review for an exam or write a paper. However, be careful not to highlight too much or when you come back to study for your exams finding the most important points will be difficult and time-consuming.

2. It is a good idea to make notes to yourself in the text margins. These notes will help you recall ideas that you had while you were reading the material for the first time. A textbook is not a sacred document so you should feel free to write in it. Alternately, you could keep a small stack of index cards with notes for each chapter. On these cards you could write down key ideas that you think are important to remember, as well as definitions and examples of the key concepts as you learn them. Actively writing down the information that’s most important is another way of helping to commit it to memory.

3. Always keep in mind that mere memorization does not signify learning and comprehension. Learn to recognize what you do not know and what confuses you; ask questions. Practice explaining-in your own words and with examples-the meaning and significance of newly acquired knowledge.

4. Talk to others about what you are reading.

5. Form a study group with others in the class and get together regularly to discuss the material, study for exams, and listen to each other’s stories. Listen to what is said: remember, listening is wanting to hear.

6. During the semester/quarter that you use this text observe and absorb the family-related information and behaviors around you. Look at everything as if it is the first and last time you will ever see it.

7. Keep a journal to record your thoughts and insights.

8. Make a scrapbook with newspaper and/or magazine articles related to family behavior. Analyze and evaluate each story by applying the concepts you learn in class.