Effective Reading Frequently Asked Questions

I have so much reading to do. How do I get through it all? Focus on your purpose for reading and only read things that are relevant. Don’t read every detail of EVERYTHING. You will get yourself bogged down. Skim read and scan your readings, looking for things that are relevant and important to your purpose for reading. Jot down anything that relates to the topic you are reading for or that relates to your purpose for reading.

Do I HAVE to read everything that I am given in my course? Read through every handout given to you in class. Handouts point out and emphasise the areas that your lecturer feels are the most important points. They want you to take note of these. At least skim read through everything once. Make a note of anything that you need to go back and read.

How can I keep from falling asleep while I read my course work? Read at a time when you are most alert. – morning, afternoon. Read in a place where you can concentrate Doing different things while you read can make your reading more enjoyable and less “heavy duty”. Try some of the following things. Highlight Take notes Mind map Summarise sections Tell someone about what you’re reading Cross reference material Take breaks Draw diagrams or pictures

I’m finding it hard to understand the words used in my textbook and coursework. What can I do? Start a glossary in a notebook. Any words that you don’t understand, write them in your notebook and either look up the meaning or ask someone for the meaning of it and write the meaning next to the word. Paraphrase or put in your own words sections of your reading. Simplify the words in your textbook/coursework by writing a short definition of the word in your own words. Use the new words as much as possible in conversation with other students or in writing summaries of your notes, just to get more familiar with them.