Starting college as an adult comes with unique challenges. While you bring valuable life experience, you may be out of practice with the rhythms of the classroom. Reading and comprehending heavy textbooks can be especially daunting. Interestingly, a survey of 2,000 citations from college papers found that most sources are superficially read and are likely not fully understood. But reading is essential for success in academia.
Here are five essential tips to enhance your reading speed and comprehension as a mature student.
Scan Before Reading
Before diving into a chapter, skim the entire book. Look at headings, key terms, and captions. Read the first and last paragraphs of each chapter. This gives you the big picture.
Stop Obsessing Over Details
Don’t get bogged down trying to memorize every fact. Focus on identifying main concepts and themes. The small details will fall into place once you understand the overall ideas.
Check Out the Book’s Anatomy
An author’s main points are often highlighted in key places: the back cover, table of contents, and introduction. Review these sections to grasp the overall argument before reading.
Identify the Thesis
Ask yourself – what is the author trying to prove in this book? Knowing the central thesis helps you understand how ideas flow.
Curate Your Sources
You can’t read everything for a research paper. Skim first to evaluate if a source will support your thesis before doing a close reading.
With practice, these strategies will help you read textbooks and research material more efficiently. Set a goal to try one new tip each week. You’ve got this!