Okay, so I wanted to get a better handle on psychology, just for my own general knowledge. I’d heard good things about “Introduction to Psychology” by Kalat, and I figured a PDF version would be the easiest way to dive in during my commute. Here’s how I got my hands on it and what I’ve been doing with it.
Finding the PDF
First things, I started to find the PDF, I mean, it is the most important step, and it’s also the first step to get everything done.
I tried searching the pdf by some searching engines, and typed some keywords.
It took me a few tries, I got some unexpected and strange results.
Finally, I found a good one, and I quickly saved it on my computer.
Getting Started & My Reading Strategy
I opened the PDF, and wow, it was a real textbook. Lots of pages! I decided I wasn’t going to try and read it cover-to-cover like a novel. That’s a recipe for burnout.
Instead, I’m taking it chapter by chapter. I usually skim the headings and subheadings first to get a sense of what the chapter’s about. Then, I read through it more carefully, highlighting key terms and concepts that seem important.
Making Notes and Staying Organized
Just reading isn’t enough for me – I need to actually do something with the information. So, after each chapter (or sometimes even after a major section), I open a new document on my laptop and jot down some notes. I don’t try to copy everything; I just summarize the main ideas in my own words.
- Summarizing: This really helps me see if I actually understood what I just read.
- Key terms: I make a separate list of all the new vocabulary and their definitions. This is like building my own little psychology dictionary.
- Questions: If anything is unclear, or if something sparks a question in my mind, I write it down. That way, I can look it up later or maybe even discuss it with someone.
Keeping it Up (The Hard Part!)
The biggest challenge, honestly, is staying consistent. I try to dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to reading and taking notes, usually during my lunch break or before bed. It doesn’t always happen, life gets in the way, but I try to make it a priority.
I’m still working my way through the book, but so far, this method is working for me. It feels manageable, and I’m actually retaining a lot more information than I thought I would. It’s kind of cool to start understanding the “why” behind human behavior a little bit better!
