How To Ace Reading In College

While socializing in the student union may bring you joy, reading there does not suit everyone. The same goes for home, where the temptation to procrastinate makes scrolling social media or doing the dishes seem enjoyable. To prevent indulging in a distraction, consider heading to the library and temporarily disabling notifications.

Doing a quick skim of the text allows you to form a general idea of the topic. Consider reading the headings and first sentence of each paragraph first as a preview. Then, read it a second time, but pay more attention to the details. Note what sections you stumble upon and fail to comprehend the first time, and pay extra attention the second time.

Consider setting up a shortcut on your computer that allows you to access an online dictionary quickly. However, we suggest first consulting a textbook’s glossary for a context-driven definition. Write the terms down on flashcards if needed and quiz yourself.

Many learners retain information better if they take notes. Consider handwriting or typing out the reading material’s main idea in a bullet point format. Add to these notes during class lectures and review the final result before the exam. Using this method may prevent the necessity to reread the material a second time during the studying process.

If a question occurs to you while reading, don’t anticipate that you will remember it come lecture day. Simply write it down, and keep reading. You may find the answer in a later assigned chapter. If not, consider emailing it to your professor or asking it during the next class session.

In this step, try summarizing the main points of the reading into one paragraph and then narrow it down to one sentence. This will incorporate critical thinking skills and help your brain process the most vital information. Write this paragraph down, read it aloud, and memorize it. Then, do the same for the single sentence.

Even if you don’t identify as a visual learner, never skip over the graphics. Many professors include exam questions that refer directly to a graph or photo caption. Spend a few moments studying the textbook images, and then close your eyes and try to recall what you just looked at from memory.

We know you didn’t read it here first, but cram studying sessions fueled by procrastination rarely yield successful results. Do not try to read an entire unit’s worth of reading the night before the exam. Breaking reading up into 15-30 increments per evening often works best.

Grab a friend, grab a coffee, and talk about your new knowledge. Although you can discuss what you read with a classmate, you can also bring specific educational topics up in casual conversations with anyone. Also, do not underestimate the power of engaging in classroom discussions. Not only will you rake in those participation points, but you may also retain more information and hear interesting viewpoints.

Since most people have been reading since age five, many readers can think about other things while they speed read. However, a person must stay entirely focused on a text for complete comprehension, and anyone can train themselves to concentrate better and avoid multitasking. Reading quickly may prevent a mind from wandering, so speed reading can lead to better overall comprehension. Iris Reading offers a free comprehension and memory course to help learners develop both speed reading and comprehension skills.

For starters, skimming a textbook helps prevent information overload. Additionally, sometimes a student simply cannot avoid cramming before an exam due to scheduling conflicts. Consider utilizing a skimming technique, like pointer finger reading. A school teacher popularized this reading method in the 1950s when she discovered gliding her finger across words allowed her to read 2,700 words per minute. Students may also benefit from previewing a text by skimming before doing a thorough reading.

While most textbook editors design the publication for front-to-back reading, reading from back-to-front presents a few benefits. For starters, most chapters include a summary section. Reading this part first allows a learner to capture the essential information while their mind still feels fresh.

Additionally, textbook chapters typically include practice questions at the end. Glancing over these first offers hints at what to pay close attention to while reading.

This method for enhanced reading comprehension considers that memory involves three components. These components include impression, association, and repetition. When something makes an impression on a person, they likely remember it. An individual can increase a reading’s impression on them by forming a mental image and exaggerating the scene in a shocking, memorable way.

For association, readers should try and form connections about details that relate to their everyday life. To remember a date, a reader could relate it to a friend’s birthday. To utilize repetition, a reader should simply reread assignments.

Francis P. Robinson, an American educational psychologist, discovered this reading comprehension method in 1946. The acronym stands for survey, question, read, recite, and review. To utilize this method, learners should first skim headings, pictures, and bold words. Then, they should write down initial questions. Next comes the reading stage, which should fill in gaps and answer questions from the previous sections. Finally, reading aloud and then reviewing the sections further solidifies the acquired knowledge.