What is the first step in the SQ3R study method?

The first step in the SQ3R study method is to survey the material. This involves skimming through the content to get an overview before diving deeper into the reading. By surveying, learners can grasp the main ideas, headings, subheadings, and any highlighted or bolded text which sets the stage for more detailed comprehension. This foundational approach allows readers to mentally organize the information and understand the structure of the material, thereby enhancing their ability to retain and process the information during the subsequent steps of the SQ3R method, which include questioning, reading, reciting, and reviewing. Being aware of the overall structure and contents helps to anchor further learning and makes it easier to identify key concepts.