Good reading skills are very beneficial for students. Reading helps students improve their academic performance. In addition, it enables students to learn new words, expand their vocab, and become more proficient in language skills.
Tips to Improve Your Reading Skills
If you’re a student who struggles with reading, here are some tips that might come in handy:
1. Establish reading goals
Reading goals can help you learn more about various topics and better grasp and use the information you consume. You may, for instance, force yourself to read a certain number of pages before moving on to something else. Or you could decide to read and become well-versed in the jargon of technology, business management, or some other field that piques your interest. The goals could vary depending on your personal and academic choices. But the key is to keep raising the bar after accomplishing every goal.
2. Have a reading buddy
Having a buddy can help you stay on track with your resolutions. That person could be anyone from a close pal, a classmate, or a teacher. To spice up the competitive spirit, you and your reading buddy might also participate in a reading challenge and track your progress as you go along.
You can also join an online reading club on various social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc., to find more reading buddies.
3. Create a reading-friendly environment
Many students pick a book or any other reading material and start reading immediately. This isn’t necessarily a flawed approach, but you can optimize it. Reading requires undivided attention. Thus, creating a reading-friendly environment can help with improving it.
Good lighting and comfortable seating contribute to a perfect setting for reading. Place your reading nook in a bright area, preferably next to a window. Reading chairs and pillows should be soft and accommodating, but not so soft to make you fall asleep.
Lastly, put away that cell phone or another electronic gadget you’re not using. You want to make reading a peaceful, quiet, and relaxing experience without distractions, especially if you’re going through coursework. Do not get sidetracked by emails, Instagram, or any other rabbit hole you tend to fall into when you are online.
4. Read regularly
Reading once in a while will not cut it. To nurture your reading skills, you will have to develop the habit of reading regularly. Arguably, the best way to ensure you develop a habit is to get up thirty minutes earlier than you normally would and read first thing in the morning. Depending on your morning routine, 15-20 minutes will suffice initially. Once you start reading regularly, the duration will increase.
Another alternative to cultivating a reading habit is to spend less time watching TV. How many hours a week do you typically spend watching shows? Even if you watch TV for approximately 2 hours daily, slashing that in half will give you more time to read and nurture your skill.
5. Take breaks
Our time and energy are finite resources. To read more, it is not always advisable to force yourself to do so. Studies suggest that getting enough rest will help you read more without exhaustion in the long run. Try to spend some time outside during your break, even if it is only for a few minutes. Simply getting up and moving about will help get your blood pumping and give you a burst of renewed energy. Plus, it’s healthier for your eyes this way.
6. Speed read cautiously
When you have a lot of reading to do, speed reading techniques can help you get through your chapters a lot faster. Mastering the art of speed reading requires striking a balance between skimming for meaning and memorizing what you read. When you finish reading a page and then try to recall what was on it, you could be frustrated to realize that you forgot everything.
One way to boost reading speed without sacrificing comprehension is by highlighting important areas. Underline or jot down the key concepts you wish to memorize, and revisit them later.
Another proven way to get a feel for a paragraph is to examine its topic sentences – the first and second sentences. You can use these topic sentences as a road map to navigate the text. Before moving on to the next paragraph or page, ensure you have a firm grasp of the important ideas introduced in the previous one.
7. Choose the right books
To get the most out of each reading session, you must have the right books by your side. When choosing a book, the first and most important step is reading the blurb. A book’s blurb is simply a summary of its content. In paperbacks, the blurb is typically included on the back cover. In hardcover, the jacket flap serves as the blurb. If the summary intrigues you right from the get-go, you should go with the book.
The next step in selecting the right book is to probe the genre. Thankfully, a rich diversity of literary styles is available to readers, including fantasy, romance, thriller, biographies, horror, comedy, etc. If you are looking to shake up your reading routine, try something from a different genre. School and college textbooks may seem dull if they’re not well-illustrated. So as your teacher for recommendations.
8. Put together a reading list
If you have a plan for what you want to read, you will not be tempted to pick up any book along the way. In other words, keeping an updated reading list is a great way to stay organized. For added convenience, keep track of when you begin and finish each book and any important notes or lessons you may have gathered.
Remember that just because you have read these books does not imply you should toss them away. Making a list and keeping a journal of your thoughts will inspire you to revisit them months from now, just in case you need some motivation.
Also Read: How to Improve Your Editing Skill in College
Conclusion
As a student, reading as many books as possible will spark creativity and enhance your overall knowledge base. That said, fostering reading skills will require patience and a lot of practice. So, incorporate these tips into your routine and improve your reading skills without further ado.
