How to Handle Lots of Long Reading Assignments

Learning Assistance & Tutorial CenterInstructor: Leigh Anne Sippel

What do you already KNOW about managing reading?

What do you WANT to know about managing reading?

First, answer these questions for yourself.

This presentation will cover the following topics:

How to stay focused on your readingHow to balance the load of lots of readingHow to motivate yourself to tackle a mountain of reading

How do I stay focused?

Choose optimal study conditions: light, temperature, sound, comfort

Control your environment – don’t let it control you.

Read in short periods, not in a long haul; get up to move around frequently

Being active stimulates the brain and the flow of oxygen in your system. Sitting can inhibit these processes.

How do I stay focused?Be careful of caffeine, stimulants, and sugar

These provide short-term benefit but long-term detriment. Stay away from them.

Question what you’ve read after each section.

Ask yourself, “What part of this reading is likely to appear on a test in my class? What will I need to say about it?”

How do I stay focused?

How do I balance the load?

Schedule it. Don’t just “fit it in.”Long readings = choose best conditionsShort readings = least optimal conditions

It’s not “ALL OR NOTHING.” A half-hour is better than nothing at all. Read at least a little bit of every assigned reading.

How do I motivate myself to tackle that mountain of reading?

The Buddy SystemFind a partner. Plan to have the reading done by a certain date. Meet for coffee and discuss the reading together.

Use good reading techniquesSQ3R – See an LATC teacher for thisOutlining

How do I motivate myself to tackle that mountain of reading?

Live interaction.Ask questions about the readings in class. Challenge your instructor on some points, or ask for more explanation. Your memory of this discussion can help to strengthen your memory of the content.

Exercise

Here is a weekly schedule page. How will you manage your reading load for this week?

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

What have you LEARNED about managing a heavy reading load?