Effective Reading Strategies - University of Windsor · 1. Reading your course material (textbook, articles, lab reports, etc…) prior to class is vital to your academic success

Your ACADEMIC SUCCESS matters!

Effective Reading

Strategies

Skills to Enhance Personal

Success (STEPS)

Student Success and Leadership Centre


Your success matters! At the Student Success and Leadership Centre we recognize that your idea of success is unique. We are here to contribute to your academic success as well as your personal growth:

• Experiential Learning

• Leadership and Volunteer Experiences

• Programs for Orientation and Mentoring

• Study Skills

• Writing Support


Introduction

• Textbooks and course material can seem massive and

overwhelming.

• You may feel like reading takes forever and is not really

worth your effort. However, completing your assigned

readings can be vital to your academic success.

• This module is meant to equip you with a better

understanding of textbooks and how to approach your

course readings.

• Students are encouraged to take notes throughout the

module.

Student Success & Leadership Centre

Overview

1. This module will provide information on how to tackle your

assigned readings.

2. The main objective of the unit is to learn to apply: organizing

your readings, finding the right reading environment, and

reading systems.

3. Students will have the opportunity to test themselves on their

mastery of the content by completing a quiz at the end of the

module.


Before you Begin:

Getting Organized

Review your syllabus:

• Note which chapters or

articles you are expected to

read by when.

• Are you studying for an

objective or subjective exam

(e.g., multiple choice vs.

essay)? This may determine

which part of your readings

you should focus on.


Before you Begin:

Getting OrganizedMake a plan

• Set aside reading times in your

agenda.

• Consider that low-energy periods

may not be the best time to attempt to complete a lot of

readings. Rather, play with your peak-energy times and

schedule in brief, but efficient, ½-1 hour blocks.

• If you prefer to read for longer, be sure to take 5-minute

breaks to re-charge every 20-30 minutes.

Key to Success: Review your progress on a regular

basis! It is easy to fall behind.


The Reading EnvironmentLighting

• The right lighting will make it easier for you to

stay alert and focus on the text.

• You should be able to see the page without

strain.

Distractions

• Be sure that you can give your full attention to

your readings. Do you have everything you

need?

• Getting up multiple times to retrieve things will

make it more unlikely that you will return to your

readings.

• Muting your phone or disabling your Internet is a

good method to use to avoid distractions.

• Can you give your full attention to the task?


The Reading Environment

Ventilation

• Warm and stuffy rooms may put you to

sleep faster, but chilly rooms may be

equally distracting.

• Try to find a location with a room

temperature that is comfortable to you.


Position• A comfortable spot (i.e., your bed) may not be ideal. Instead, research

suggests that the way you sit while studying and learning new

information will help with recall during your test/exam.

• E.g., if you sit up in a chair, at a desk while studying, you may find

information easier to recall during test time.

Assessing Your Progress

Stay on track

• Checking in with your progress on a

weekly basis can be helpful to

assess your progress (e.g., did you

complete all of your readings this

week and make notes?).

• Relying on reading week to catch up

on all of your readings may not be a

smart idea.

• Our likelihood is to overestimate how

much we can get done in a day. This

is known as the planning fallacy.


Assessing Your Progress

Compare your notes

• Review your reading notes after class and compare

them to your lecture notes.

• Overlap may indicate an important topic, but do not

neglect material that is only covered in either lecture or

the textbook/reading.


The SQ4R System

Why use SQ4R?

• It helps you speed up your reading

process

• You will be less likely to forget important

information

• It helps you prepare questions for class


The SQ4R System

1. Survey: Get an overview

• Look at:

– Titles

– Subtitles

– Chapter summaries

– Bolded and italicized terms

– Pictures

– Charts

– Graphs

• Pay attention to the structure of your chapter


The SQ4R System

2. Question: Get interested

• Look at the title. What is the

chapter/reading about?

• Transform headings into questions

and search for answers as you

read

• What is the significance of the

paragraph you are about to read?


The SQ4R System

3. Read and Reflect: Make reading an

active process

• Try to answer the questions you asked before

you started reading. What seems most

important?

• Pay attention to graphs, charts and tables to

understand how concepts are related


• Note directional cues (however, although) and

indicator words (therefore, consequently) that may

give away evaluative and conclusive comments

• Read the chapter summary. It will cover the most

important content; which you should be able to

elaborate on after completing your readings.

The SQ4R System

3. Read and Reflect: Make reading an active process

(con’t)

• Relate concepts to your life for better memory recall

ability and note down your examples

• Re-read sections if necessary or ask for clarification

(e.g., instructor, GA, peers, etc…)

• Try to stick to your reading schedule

or adjust it if necessary. Take short

but frequent breaks to rest and

stretch or to think about what you

are reading


The SQ4R System

4. Record: Take reading notes

• Structure your reading notes according

to related categories and concepts

• Test your understanding of the material

by putting it in your own words

• Recording key points is superior to

excessive highlighting. Likewise, the

act of writing out your notes by hand

aids with memory recall

• Use visual organizers to enhance your

notes (e.g., graphs, tables, doodles,

etc…)


The SQ4R System

5. Review: Do not let your efforts go to waste

• Immediate review after completion of a chapter can

significantly enhance your retention

• Review your reading notes frequently helps to shorten

your study sessions

• You may choose to colour-code or underline key terms

• Recite main concepts in your own words and elaborate

in more detail. Cover the page if necessary.

Review1. Reading your course material (textbook, articles, lab

reports, etc…) prior to class is vital to your academic

success. If there is no time to complete the full reading,

be sure to at least survey and question the material.

Having read the key terms will aid your information

processing.

2. Creating a reading schedule can help you stay on track.

3. Strategies like SQ4R can help you improve your

reading efficiency.

4. Review your reading notes in brief but frequent

sessions.


Reminders…

• If you haven’t yet, we would like to invite you to complete

the LASSI and the VARK online learning assessments.

These tools help assess how you learn best!

• To request the links to these assessments or to book an

individual appointment to review your results, please

email [email protected]

• If you have questions relating to the material discussed

in any STEPS workshops, please email

[email protected]


Reminders…

• For more information and

resources related to reading

strategies, visit

www.uwindsor.ca/steps.

• STEPS offers a variety of

interactive study skill workshops

as well as individual consultation.

• For support with academic issues,

remember to seek support from

your instructors and

teaching/graduate assistants.


http://www.uwindsor.ca/steps

Bonus Marks• The Time Management quiz qualifies for bonus marks for the

following courses:

– 01-01-220 (Investigating the Contemporary World)

– 01-01-150 (Effective Writing I & II)

• Be sure to complete all required fields (Name, course code,

professor name, etc…)

• Students must correctly achieve a 60% or better on the quiz in order

to qualify for the bonus mark.

• The quiz must be completed by the last day of class within the

semester the student is taking the course.

Fall: December 6, 2017 Winter: April 6, 2018

Intersession: June 18, 2018 Summer Session: August 20, 2018

STUDENT SUCCESS AND LEADERSHIP CENTRE

Your SUCCESS matters!

There are many ways to reach us:

[email protected] [email protected]

www.uwindsor.ca/stepswww.uwindsor.ca/success

519-253-3000 extension 3471Dillon Hall, Lower Level

@UWinStudentExp


http://www1.uwindsor.ca/lifeline/

http://www.uwindsor.ca/success

Quiz Time!

Be sure to test what you just learned!

Take the Effective Reading Strategies

QUIZ!!


https://uwindsor.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eDanZxKrTmpttB3

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Effective Reading Strategies - University of Windsor · 1. Reading your course material (textbook, articles, lab reports, etc…) prior to class is vital to your academic success