Academic reading

Hello all, I just wanted some advice. I am completing a Geography (BA) Level 1 course this year, and have obviously just been introduced to academic reading. Today, my readings consisted of content from a book, and textbook, and accumulated to around 20-30 pages; this took me around 4 hours, because I found the content, within these readings extremely confusing and challenging... I still do! I know I have only been here for around 3 weeks, but I find the 'essential readings' so hard to complete, without feeling completely tired, perplexed and frustrated after. I find it hard to pinpoint the key ideas, that I need note-down, and I also feel i'm making too many notes on said readings. I am really considering a different option for my future, because these readings are degrading my mental state rather harshly. I just wondered if anyone had tips/advice? Does everyone do all their essential readings? How do people do it quick, whilst still understanding? How much should I be noting down? How do I know what to note down? Sorry for all the questions, I am just finding it very difficult.

Original post by Anonymous

Hello all, I just wanted some advice. I am completing a Geography (BA) Level 1 course this year, and have obviously just been introduced to academic reading. Today, my readings consisted of content from a book, and textbook, and accumulated to around 20-30 pages; this took me around 4 hours, because I found the content, within these readings extremely confusing and challenging... I still do! I know I have only been here for around 3 weeks, but I find the 'essential readings' so hard to complete, without feeling completely tired, perplexed and frustrated after. I find it hard to pinpoint the key ideas, that I need note-down, and I also feel i'm making too many notes on said readings. I am really considering a different option for my future, because these readings are degrading my mental state rather harshly. I just wondered if anyone had tips/advice? Does everyone do all their essential readings? How do people do it quick, whilst still understanding? How much should I be noting down? How do I know what to note down? Sorry for all the questions, I am just finding it very difficult.

Hiya,

I completely understand where you're coming from, I had the same issues in year 1. Firstly, my number one advice is to look at the content in the lecture slides and basically use that as a guide when doing your essential reading. Essentially, do your reading but follow what's been mentioned in lectures for the time being and do the recommended reading on things that haven't been mentioned but are quite important and show wider reading. To be very frank, most people don't do the essential reading or at least not all of it, it is quite hard at times to get through it.
You shouldn't need to note down everything, just things which are very important or elaborate on more info/points, and it does help if you read the abstract first (it will tell you if whatever you're reading is relevant) and just skim and scan through it. Lastly, I would also highly recommend emailing your lecturers and professors to ask about what readings you should concentrate on and how to refine the essential reading list (although it does sound scary, its very useful and lecturers absolutely don't mind) 🙂

I hope this helps!

-Ghala

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

OP

Thanks for the advice 😁

Reply 3

Anonymous #2

Original post by Anonymous

Hello all, I just wanted some advice. I am completing a Geography (BA) Level 1 course this year, and have obviously just been introduced to academic reading. Today, my readings consisted of content from a book, and textbook, and accumulated to around 20-30 pages; this took me around 4 hours, because I found the content, within these readings extremely confusing and challenging... I still do! I know I have only been here for around 3 weeks, but I find the 'essential readings' so hard to complete, without feeling completely tired, perplexed and frustrated after. I find it hard to pinpoint the key ideas, that I need note-down, and I also feel i'm making too many notes on said readings. I am really considering a different option for my future, because these readings are degrading my mental state rather harshly. I just wondered if anyone had tips/advice? Does everyone do all their essential readings? How do people do it quick, whilst still understanding? How much should I be noting down? How do I know what to note down? Sorry for all the questions, I am just finding it very difficult.

I found this guide online on the Oxford University website which seems quite helpful:

https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills/research

and another one from Newcastle University:

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/academic-skills-kit/study-skills/reading-and-note-taking/making-notes-from-reading/

Academic reading

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you