The first step to efficient reading is to survey and preview your material. Previewing your material allows you to organize the reading and ask yourself questions about the material. When asking questions make sure you review all material beforehand, for example, you should be looking at the chapters, subchapter, introduction, index, etc.
Secondly, you must read with a purpose. You must be sure to ask yourself questions as you read. In order to accomplish this be sure to divide your chapters into small sections, which well help you to depict the main idea of each subsection of reading.
The key to reading effectively is to remember what you are reading. An easy way to put the information you are reading into your long-term memory is to recite the main idea out loud. You can also stop and ask yourself "What did the author want the reader to know?". Another strategy is to jot down main ideas in the margin.
The last textbook reading strategy is to reflect upon your reading and summarize. Create a summary displaying your own interpretation of the authors work. The interpretation of materials will help you to organize your thoughts and create comparisons between new ideas and old ideas.