For activation, the traditional method of activation is usually not suffecient. I usually take a look at one chapter at a time, treating it as a book within itself. Do some previewing, photoreading, post viewing, and mind mapping on the chapter, and then try out the techniques on paper. Once you feel you have them down, practice, practice, practice! Make problems for yourself, or do it out of the book. Also be sure to allow a decent chunk of activation time for nearly all math related material. Some is quite simple. Also try photoreading the chapters before and after, and only activate in that manner one at a time.
Just my 2 cents.
-youngprer
