1. Reading Effectively

2. Set Yourself Up for Success
Location matters.
Find a location that improves your focus.
Break down readings.
Break readings down into chunks over the course of one day or even a few days.
Remember time management.
If possible, read when you’re most alert.
Use a planner to detail when and where you’ll read.
Use a daily to-do list to help you divide your readings into manageable chunks.

3. Quick Tip Takes Steps to Help Yourself
If you stop after doing some reading and find that you haven’t retained much, it won’t help to continue. Figure out why you might be having trouble and take steps to help yourself. If you’re distracted, find another location or read later in the day. If the text is too challenging for you, meet with classmates or an instructor to get some help.

4. Read Effectively
Reading effectively means actually retaining the material.
Before starting a reading, look through the text, noting aspects that catch your eye.
Scanning the text makes you more familiar with the material before you start reading, and can aid your understanding.
Text markers also often point to essential information that you’ll need to remember.

5. Read Effectively (continued)
Engage with your reading.
Step 1: Ask questions frequently.
Before you begin to read, ask where the reading fits into the course as a whole.
While reading, check your understanding by periodically pausing and asking yourself questions.
Step 2: React as you read.
Evaluate the text as you read, and gauge your opinion of the arguments and examples presented.

6. Read Effectively (continued)
Step 3: Ask what’s missing.
Critically analyze the information presented to decide if anything might be missing.
Step 4: Think about the big picture.
As you read, make connections between different parts of the text, and to other readings, lectures, and assignments.
Step 5: Personalize the text.
As you read, check if your personal experiences inform your understanding of the material.

8. Read Effectively (continued)
Take notes.
Use symbols.
Add a question mark if you don’t understand something, and use arrows to indicate aspects of the text that connect in some way.
Use a highlighter sparingly.
Indiscriminate highlighting reduces critical thinking.
Take extra time to save yourself time.
Taking notes helps you comprehend and engage with the reading more effectively.

9. Take Critical Thinking Notes While You Read

10. 5 Questions to Answer After Completing a Reading
What are the most important themes or concepts?
What examples or significant details should I remember?
Is the evidence presented sound? Why or why not?
Does the material contradict or support other readings or lectures? How?
Why did the instructor assign this piece of reading? What’s the point of the reading?

11. Engage in Conversations
Get support from classmates.
Form a reading group or find a classmate who is interested in working with you.
Share your questions, reactions, and synthesis of assigned texts.
Meet once a week over lunch or dinner.
Discussion helps you to notice if you don’t fully understand something and may force you to rethink your understanding of the texts.

12. Quick Tip Review Your Reading
If you find yourself lost during a reading group discussion, go back to the text to make sure you’re not missing anything important. And if this happens frequently, it could be a sign that you need extra help in the class. Visit the Academic Advising Office to talk with an advisor about your struggles, or find a tutor who can meet with you regularly.

13. Engage in Conversations (continued)
Meet with instructors and teaching assistants.
Visit during office hours or spend a few minutes after class explaining what you find fascinating or what doesn’t seem to make sense.
Be sure to meet with your instructor if you’re having trouble understanding the readings.
If you find that you can’t get through all the readings or can’t stay focused while reading, be honest about it.