- Engage in Active Reading
Stay focused and get involved in your reading. Read the review questions then actively seek out the answers to them within the text. Gather information and access that information critically. By using this technique of active reading, you are storing the information you find in your long-term memory. - Increase Your Concentration
There are a couple of ways to increase your concentration. First, find a quiet place to study. This can be an empty classroom or a quiet bookstore. Second, make a study date. This means that you should clear your schedule to avoid potential distractions. Lastly, let others know your plans. Your friends and family are less likely to intrude on you when they know you’re busy studying. Putting a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on your door may help. - Manage Your Time
Do not over-extend yourself. Don’t try to read, say, all 300 pages of your assigned reading in one sitting. Break down your reading assignment into smaller sections and schedule times (study dates) to read them. This makes the whole process a lot less overwhelming and a lot more manageable. - Keep an Eye Out for Signal Words
Signal words are cues within the text that should be treated as ‘red flags’. These cues let us know that the following material is important and should be paid attention to. Some signal words and phrases include: ‘Key Features’, ‘especially relevant’, ‘a significant factor’, ‘noteworthy’, and ‘of primary concern’. - Start With Difficult Material
Always start with the most difficult material. You will have the most energy at the beginning of your studies; this is the perfect time to get the hard stuff out of the way. Difficult material is also good to read over more than once. So if you read it at the beginning of your studies, then again at the end; you will have a much better chance at remembering that material. Also, reading out loud id known to help make difficult concepts more clear.