Reading Assignments: Crash Course Study Skills #2 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Learn how to make the most out of your reading assignments by improving reading speed and retention.

Key Insights

• 🫠 Prioritize reading assignments based on their relevance and importance to the course.
• 😃 Reading speed is limited by the mechanics of the eye and working memory constraints.
• 👍 Traditional speed reading techniques have been scientifically proven ineffective.
• ❓ Regular practice and focusing on the material can improve reading skills.
• 🦻 Selective highlighting and the Morse Code Method can aid in retention and comprehension.
• 😑 Active reading techniques, such as pre-reading, questioning, summarizing, and note-taking, enhance retention and comprehension.
• ☢️ SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review) is a popular system for active reading, but can be adapted to individual preferences.

Transcript

Hi, I’m Thomas Frank, this is Crash Course Study Skills, and I’ve got some bad news for you. You know that little voice in the back of your head that’s telling you it’s impossible to read all 847 pages your teacher assigned you last week? It’s right. To counter that with some good news, though: that’s ok! Today we’re going to be diving deep into ho... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Do I need to read every assigned book or text?

No, it is not necessary to read every assigned reading. Prioritize readings from the main textbook and selectively choose supplemental readings based on their relevance to the course material.

Q: Can I improve my reading speed beyond the average range?

While it is unrealistic to read at extremely high speeds, you can improve your reading skills by practicing regularly and focusing on the material. Skilled college-level readers can expect to read between 200-400 words per minute.

Q: Do speed reading techniques actually work?

No, scientifically tested techniques such as increasing fixation size, flashing words rapidly, and eliminating subvocalization have been shown to be ineffective. These techniques do not address working memory constraints and can hinder comprehension.

Q: How can I improve retention while reading?

Instead of highlighting extensively, try the Morse Code Method by marking important ideas and examples with dots and dashes in the margin. Additionally, actively engage with the text through pre-reading, questioning, summarizing, and note-taking.

Q: Do I need to read every assigned book or text?

No, it is not necessary to read every assigned reading. Prioritize readings from the main textbook and selectively choose supplemental readings based on their relevance to the course material.

More Insights

• Prioritize reading assignments based on their relevance and importance to the course.

• Reading speed is limited by the mechanics of the eye and working memory constraints.

• Traditional speed reading techniques have been scientifically proven ineffective.

• Regular practice and focusing on the material can improve reading skills.

• Selective highlighting and the Morse Code Method can aid in retention and comprehension.

• Active reading techniques, such as pre-reading, questioning, summarizing, and note-taking, enhance retention and comprehension.

• SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review) is a popular system for active reading, but can be adapted to individual preferences.

• Aim to engage with the text and avoid distractions to maximize reading efficiency and effectiveness.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Your time is limited, so it's important to prioritize your reading assignments based on their relevance and importance to the course.

• Reading speed is limited by the mechanics of the eye and working memory constraints, so it is unrealistic to aim for extremely high reading speeds.

• Traditional speed reading techniques have been proven ineffective, but you can still improve your reading skills by practicing regularly and focusing on the material at hand.

• Highlighting should be done selectively to avoid mistaking recognition for true recall. Instead, consider using the Morse Code Method to mark important ideas and examples.

• Active reading, including pre-reading, questioning, summarizing, and note-taking, can significantly improve retention and comprehension.