Useful reading strategies for your upcoming exams
For university exams, there is usually a lot to read. Scientific texts are typically many pages long, but the time for reading is limited. Reading academic texts can also feel difficult if they contain many unfamiliar terms or if, despite your best efforts, you fail to locate the main points of the text or to form an overview of its content. Still, effective reading is essential to your study progress. Thankfully, you can develop your reading technique.
Sometimes skimming or scanning the text might be sufficient instead of reading the text from word to word. Your understanding of the study material deepens when you engage with the text, for example, by making notes. Writing by hand can be more effective for learning than taking notes on a computer, but consider which method suits you best.
Reading in a foreign language
Primary language and foreign language texts are essentially read in the same way, but reading in a foreign language can feel more demanding and slower. To save time, it is wise to read strategically: aim to understand the main points and use reading techniques suitable for you.
Background knowledge on the topic helps in reading. If the text is difficult to understand, seek information about the topic from other sources or in other languages. Make use of the textbook's glossary or of reliable dictionaries like MOT. However, you should not check every foreign word; instead, deduce meanings from the context.
Good luck for your upcoming exams!
