University study requires a lot of reading of sometimes unfamiliar and challenging material. Fortunately, there are lots of strategies you can use to maximise your reading time and get the information to "stick". Explore the tabs below to find a variety of approaches you can use for reading fiction, journal articles, and textbooks.
The SQ3R strategy shows you how to be an effective "active reader":
Skimming can be an effective way to review a text or get an overview. It involves moving your eyes rapidly over a text and picking up on typographical cues such as indents, bolded text, quotes, and headings. You will not get the complete picture when using this method, however it is a good way to determine whether a text warrants further reading or not. Here are the main aspects of the skimming process:
(Butte College, n.d., para. 7)
Scanning is an effective way of identifying particular points or facts within a text. Scanning should ideally be done after skimming the text for an overview, so you can understand the overall context of the document. The process involves rapid eye movement over a text, looking for cues such as keywords and headings, so you can focus on a particular point. Don't forget to look at tables of contents and indexes during this process. Some points to remember when scanning:
(Butte College, n.d., para. 12)
Butte College, (n.d.). Tip sheet: Skimming and scanning. Retrieved from http://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/readingstrategies/skimming_scanning.html
Robinson, F. P. (1978). Effective study (6th ed.). New York, NY: Harper & Row.