To make your reading more active and effective, make sure that you:

• Avoid passive reading – learn strategies that make your reading active and keep you engaged;
• Practice using SQ3R;
• Recognise which reading process is appropriate for the text you are reading;
• Survey the text before you read to identify what parts are most relevant and useful;
• Learn to be critical of the text you are reading and use this to analyse its relevance and usefulness;
• Form note-taking habits – recording, reviewing and using your notes;
• Note references and occasional quotes as you read;
• Read with targets – what info are you trying to pick out and how much is enough?

Reading effectively (PDF opens in new window)