I have chosen the “T-Square” method simply because it makes it easier for me to move

through the chapters of my textbook and still obtain the knowledge and information I

need to complete my course work in a timely fashion and accurately. T-Square gets you

through the chapter without feeling as if you missed something, gets you thinking by

asking the questions and in the end give you a great study sheet to work from.

The system is set up to assist you with learning what’s in the chapter without

actually having to read the entire chapter. The steps are as follows:

T - Title, what’s involved in the chapter, doing a quick run through to get a feel for

information that is in the chapter

S - Summary, read the summary and the introduction of the chapter first as these usually

have the most important facts of the chapter listed. This keeps me from having to read

word for word but still absorbing the information needed.

Q - Questions, read and go over the end of the chapter questions this way you know what

you’re looking for throughout the context of the chapter.

U - Unusual, review pictures, charts and graphs as they are put in a chapter for a reason

they are very helpful.

A - Ask, take the headings and bold print to generate questions.

R - Read, skim/read through chapter to locate answers to your questions

E - Examine, go over the “need to know list” add anything additional information to

finish your study sheet.

Some strengths of the T-square method are that is saves time; this method cuts down the

time I generally spend reading 40-50 pages, and trying to remember what I read and what

was important. With the T-square method I still ended up with the information I needed.

This method also keeps me more interested in the content because I know what I’m

looking for instead of getting “lost” in the actually reading of the chapter.

So far when I’ve used this system (for my legal class) the first weakness I noticed was

even though I know what information I need, I still wasn‘t able to find it quickly (in

which case I could include the highlight or underline method just for main topics).

Another weaknesses I could foresee in the future would be what question do I ask/write

down to help me review. This has not happened so far, but could arise later or in another

course. The T-square system may not work for all courses or textbooks depending on the

class you are taking it may suffice.

In the beginning I was going to chose the highlight or underline method which consists of

you basically highlighting/underlining the most pertinent information; which I’ve done

for years. Yes it has been effective for me but once I tried the T-Square method I

changed my method. Highlighting can be effective but I also was tired of having a

coloring book as my textbook; it is very time consuming because you end up feeling lots

of things are important, highlight them and then find you don’t need it and can’t erase it.

I am sure I will use this method in some instances along with T-Square still.

Annotating/Underlining was another method I chose not to use simply because there is

just too much drawing and symbols to try to remember. It’s hard enough remembering

the context let alone what symbol to use and/or what it stands for and now my textbook

looks like a piece of abstract art.

The third system I chose not to use is “study sheet”. A study sheet consists of preparing

notes, keeping your material together and hopefully to see clearly the ideas and their

relationships. Although can be very helpful and convenient to have with me on the go; I

decided against it because I find that I’d be writing more than I need and then my mind

would not remember what I truly needed to know.

My thoughts in reference to learning about the systems through my own investigation was

“wow some of theses are ridiculous” and others I said “gheez this is so smart”. I must

admit there were some that I would not even attempt based on the definitions and

processes of the method which seemed very time consuming and looked to be more work

than my assignments. On the other hand I have done the highlighting method and

underlining which were adequate at the time; but learning other methods have given me a

broader spectrum of taking notes with my textbook and being successful with it. I am

still a fan of the T-Square method.