<p>Hey everyone. </p>
<p>My books for next semester are starting to trickle in, and I'm very tempted to start reading them. I know that the semester is 3 weeks away, but in your opinion or from personal experience, would it be okay to start reading the first few chapters and taking notes on them? I wouldn't want to do too much at once, but would it help me keep up with things? My schedule is very reading-based. </p>
<p>Also, I have a French night class that meets once a week, and it continues where my last class left off. Since it will definitely rely more on independent studying, would it be bad to go through the chapters and to start learning the new concepts? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>lol, go for it if you’re that driven and motivated.</p>
<p>I tried it once…I go SO much slower on my own that it got me like two classes ahead, going at my own peace for 3 weeks. Unless you have nothing else at all that would help you or that you would enjoy, i think that once you factor in the benefits of recharging your batteries, it might be a bit of a diminished return.</p>
<p>I would study French just to keep in fresh in your brain. Four weeks is a while to go without it and it will help you. I study music related things and practice over break.</p>
<p>I always tried to do this but it never proved to be a beneficial use of my time. I’d read the first four chapters only for class to start on the 8th chapter, or something similarly stupid, or I’d be so far ahead that when we were discussing the earlier chapters I had to read them over again anyway because I couldn’t remember enough or interpreted them wrong the first time. I think the former issue is more likely to occur if you’re reading an actual legit textbook, the latter more like a novel. I had a lot of both.</p>
<p>I do think going over the french is a good idea. If the new book challenges you too much you could always review your old book, too. That would also be enough to keep you fresh.</p>
<p>Depends if it’s something you’d possibly read for fun anyway. I’m reading one assigned book for this reason, a novel type, not a dry textbook. It can’t hurt to go over language, but there’ll probably be some review too. They know everyone’s been away 3 weeks. Unless you really like doing this as a hobby, I would take the time off and work hard after the break.</p>
<p>Son would go through textbooks and do the exercises before his courses. Sometimes he went through the whole textbook before the course started and sometimes he do just several chapters.</p>