<p>this is the one text no one really tells me how to read. it seems to just tell you all facts. well, i suffer with this text the most, maybe aside from math textbooks. i also avoid history classes. haha. but i'm a interested in exploring chinese history by myself. but even reading texts for that is very dry. any tips?</p>
<p>Put history in context, at first, try to relate abstract ideas as much to personal details as possible, look for similarities in your life and in the actual texts</p>
<p>Look for major events and themes/trends between events. Then, look for all of the examples and historical incidents that support those major themes. That’s what I do anyway.</p>
<p>get the book “What Smart Students Know”. It is written by one of the co-founders of the Princeton Review prep service and he really knows his stuff. He explains how to study all kinds of material, how to take notes, etc. Its a book I think all college students should read.</p>
<p>See if there are intros and conclusions within the chapters; these’ll tell you pretty much everything you need to know. If you have time, thoroughly skim the chapter to pick up the details. You could also consider “jigsaw” reading it with other people where you read section A, someone reads section B, and so on and then you all meet to share the info.</p>
<p>Also a link to tons of info about studying is [Helpful</a> Study Skills Links](<a href=“http://www.stthomas.edu/academicsupport/helpful_study_skills_links.htm]Helpful”>http://www.stthomas.edu/academicsupport/helpful_study_skills_links.htm)</p>
<p>Agh. As a history major, let me just say: never take any history course that uses a textbook. That will not teach you anything.</p>
<p>I only took 1 history class ever (as an option) but it was a load of reading that I absolutely didn’t know how to do. But, I would agree that Associating is a very good idea when reading history text. So, zoom out of the facts and ask yourself what else is happening at this point? How is this related to what I’ve learned so far? Make mind maps or flowcharts. It helps keep things in perspective. </p>
<p>Also..</p>
<p>Always read that intro before reading the chapter..Really tells you what to key in on. So, when you read…focus more on the main points mentioned in the Intro and when you go back..make sure you understand everything in the conclusion and have taken notes on it</p>
<p>Maya.
P.S. Not a good idea to avoid classes! Learned it the hard way!</p>