| I spent the better part of 17 years in and out of | | | | 3. Focus on new information. We learn things best |
| higher education. Eleven of those years were | | | | when we can connect new information to something |
| invested in taking classes and pursuing degrees. In | | | | we already know. Rather than simply highlighting |
| the process of having to read a lot of books and | | | | information, write down questions such as, "How |
| articles that I didn't really have time to read, I began | | | | does this concept related to what I read in other |
| asking myself, "Isn't there a more effective way to | | | | publications?" For many people, highlighting sentences |
| do this?" Like many of you, I had a life outside of | | | | is counter-productive because they spend more time |
| the academic world. I had a family, jobs, | | | | trying to make sure the lines are straight than they |
| responsibilities, and the desire to enjoy some portion | | | | do paying attention to what the text actually says. |
| of each week. Reading was necessary, but it wasn't | | | | 4. Speed up. Many people read at the speed they |
| something I always enjoyed. | | | | talk, yet research tells us that our brains process |
| That's the way it is with academic reading... most of | | | | information much faster than we realize. Get in the |
| the things we have to read are not things we would | | | | habit of moving your eyes faster and see if you |
| normally select. We find ourselves falling asleep | | | | catch things you didn't actually verbalize in your mind. |
| believing that the words from the book or article will | | | | You'll be surprised at how much you actually |
| ooze into our brains while our eyes are closed. There | | | | comprehend when you speed up your reading. |
| has to be a better way to stay alert and actually | | | | 5. Take good notes. In business and academics some |
| remember what we read! Try the following ideas: | | | | texts are permanent fixtures. If you take good |
| 1. Have a reading place. Create a place that is | | | | notes the first time you read a text, you will be |
| designated for reading. Don't select a spot too | | | | better prepared to locate and use that information |
| comfortable or you will fall asleep. Don't select a spot | | | | later. It is a poor use of your time to reread books |
| that is too uncomfortable or you will spend more | | | | and articles you have read before. File your notes so |
| time thinking about your discomfort than the reading. | | | | that you can locate them later. You might even stick |
| 2. Pick your time. If you are a morning person, your | | | | a note inside the book telling you the location of your |
| best time for reading is early morning; night people | | | | note. |
| do better mid-morning to early afternoon. You have | | | | Reading is an unpleasant part of our academic |
| pockets of time when you are more alert, so use | | | | endeavors, so do all you can to maximize your |
| those times for reading. If you find yourself at work | | | | efficiency. Time is too valuable to waste! Think about |
| during those times, use your break times or | | | | it! |
| weekends to maximize your effectiveness. | | | | |