Hi
Photoreading a university text is exactly the same as photoreading any other text, unless the pages are made of some kind of hard-to-turn paper! 
In previewing, you are surveying the material, and so there is no real need to go into great depth - previewing (and postviewing, for that matter) is not activation. It is getting to know what you will be in for when you actually activate. From your description, it sounds like you might be trying to actually activate when previewing.
I recommend doing academic texts chapter by chapter i.e. take each chapter as a book in itself. You can even preview them separately, as this is more likely to be useful in terms of activation. Pick out trigger words to help you.
During activation, remember that comprehension is built in layers. Multiple layers of the same material means that you can always come back and pick up what you left earlier on. I have personally found that doing this is far more effective than trying to bulldoze one's way through the text once through.
With mathematics and physics, also remember to do the exercises. This is a very helpful form of activation where these subjects are concerned.
KWLee
[This message has been edited by KWLee (edited August 10, 2003).]
