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Reading & Note Taking Strategies SUCCESS TOOLKIT SERIES

Reading & Note taking are important skills within the college experience. Scroll below through this self-guided page on reading & note taking as we explore:

  • Reading in high school vs. college
  • Types of college reading
  • Reading tips & strategies
  • Why note taking skills are important
  • The 4 main note taking methods
  • General note taking tips
  • Additional UMass resources
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*There will be several pause points throughout for you to reflect on your own reading & note taking strategies and to access worksheet resources.*

Reading

Reading in High School vs. College

The reading you did prior to your college experience might be different than what you will experience at UMass. Check out the video clip below to see changes from high school reading to college reading.

Types of College Reading

At the college level, you may find that you engage with many different kinds of reading material in your courses! Take a look at a few examples:

  • Academic Research Texts (published journal articles, doctoral dissertations, textbooks, research data, etc.)
  • Literary Texts (biographies, memoirs, works of fiction, poetry, non-fiction books, etc.)
  • Online Texts & Resources (blogs, newspaper articles, magazines, current events, class materials, etc.)
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Reflect: What kinds of reading material do you engage with the most in your classes? What campus resources can help you access these readings?

UMass Libraries

Browse research databases & book collections, search for graduate & undergraduate services, and even view the falcon live cam at the UMass libraries website:

Did you know that each department on the UMass campus has a librarian assigned to them? To find out who your librarian is, click the link below.

Reading Tips & Strategies

Want to know how you can be more effective with completing your college reading assignments? Check out the clip below for 7 reading tips & strategies:

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How do your reading assignments fit into your weekly student schedule? Pause to view the Study Cycle worksheet to plan out what your study cycle will look like throughout your week.

Tips for Staying Motivated while Reading

Take Frequent Breaks!

Using the pomodoro method, for every 25 minutes of reading, give yourself a 5-minute break. Breaks will help reduce burnout and give your mind a brief rest from your reading material.

The Gummy Bear Method

Place a gummy bear (or another favorite snack) at the end of each page of your text. Once you finish reading the page, claim your tasty reward!

Utilizing Audiobooks

Try 'reading' the material via listening to an audiobook. If you feel that you can't concentrate visually, hearing the material in an auditory way might help. Try out the Libby app to access FREE books & audiobooks from your library.

Participate in #UMassReads

Do you enjoy reading outside of the classroom? Mixing academic reading with reading for fun may spark some motivation in the process. During breaks and down time as a student, branch out and try participating in reading challenges such as #UMassReads.

Note Taking

Note Taking & Why it is Important

Note taking is an important skill that students use throughout their college experience. But why is note taking such an important skill?

  • Taking quality notes can help students remember key material
  • Notes can help students gauge for understanding. (What do you already know? What concepts need more focus?)
  • Notes can serve as a study guide for exams throughout the semester
  • Notes can be a reference point to come back to after the class ends. (Find a way to save & organize your notes!!)

Handwritten vs. Typed Notes

Do you have a preference for handwriting or typing your notes? Check out the article below from The Global Scholars that shares pros and cons of each method.

The 4 Main Note Taking Methods
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There are 4 main methods of note taking that we will cover (the list method, the outline method, the concept map method, and the Cornell method). But first, lets reflect on what note taking strategies you are already using. Click the worksheet button below.

4 Primary Note Taking Methods

Which method would you like to use in your note taking practice?

General Note Taking Tips

Here are a few general tips and strategies you can use in your note taking practice. Which tip will you use?

Reading & Writing Resources at UMass

The Writing Center

"We work with undergrad, grad, staff, post-doc, and faculty writers at any stage of the writing process: brainstorming and outlining, getting feedback on a draft, developing revision strategies, learning to copy edit one’s work, and more."

Click the link below to learn more about the UMass writing center or to sign up for a virtual tutoring session.

Student Success

At UMass, we create resources and opportunities to support student success. Your success is a goal shared by the departments, offices, and individuals that you'll work with. You'll get to know faculty and staff who will ensure that you have everything you need to persevere and thrive on your way to graduation.

Learn more about Student Success services at the link below!

Thank you for exploring this reading & Note Taking page as a part of the Success Toolkit Series. For other topics and live workshop sessions please visit our website www.umass.edu/studentsuccess

We would love to hear from you! Please scan the QR code below or click this link to take out brief Success Toolkit evaluation survey.

Have more questions? We'd love to meet with you! Click the link below to schedule an appointment with someone from Student Success. Go to Make an appointment> Success & Wellness> Follow-up Mtg: Academic Success Planning.

Credits:

Created with images by Pexels - "fountain pen note notebook" • silviarita - "books woman girl" • kaboompics - "woman write notepad" • Pexels - "laptop hands gadgets" • 6689062 - "journal write blank"