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Selective reading

The importance of reading assignments lies in the conferences and the modules. For the most part, nothing else is necessary. Don't let this freak you out – and if it takes some time to get used to he idea, that's perfectly normal! Remember, the book will always be there if you happen to need it (I'm not for one minute suggesting not to order the textbooks), especially if the final exam study guide lists things from the textbook to study. But in general, the textbooks are useless for successful completion of classes at UMUC.

• Unless an assignment or conference response specifically requires it, don't read the textbook. AT ALL. Don't even open it. Yes, you still have to buy it (after all, you never know if you will need it), but if it turns out you don't – don't waste time on the reading assignments if it's not absolutely necessary.
• Always read every module commentary reading assignment.
• Unless you still have required responses within a conference, don't read everyone's posts. Only read the ones you absolutely have to; no more, no less. It can take forever to go through all posts in a conference, and for the most part none of it pertains to you. Save your time and don't read them. Unless someone is responding to you specifically, turn off your curiosity and don't open any other posts that you don't have to.
• Click the "read all notes" to make the little red stars go away (so they don't drive you crazy!).