Reading

At the beginning of your studies, you are usually told which texts to read. Some of the readings on the syllabus can be demanding. They often introduce new concepts, difficult formulations, and complex lines of reasoning. Many students find it hard to stay motivated and focused enough to read these texts properly. One reason may be that it takes a lot of practice to master reading and understanding academic texts. It is common to feel frustration, setbacks, and slow progress. The good news is that there are many useful tips for structuring your reading sessions, and that you will be rewarded with enjoyment and understanding as you get into a reading rhythm.

Tip

A good study day is also about quality of life, a sense of mastery, cognitive training, and solid routines. The online resource Eksamenskoden (in Norwegian) covers much of this. Feel free to take a look!

Below, we go through some steps you can take before, during, and after reading to tackle longer and more demanding academic texts in a smart and active way.

This module offers useful input for the different phases of the reading process

Before reading: Planning and some general recommendations

While reading: Different reading techniques for different purposes

After reading: How to remember what you have read

The content in this reading module is inspired by AU Studypedia, developed by Aarhus University. AU Studypedia is a reference work on different aspects of student life, and is also recommended by the Search & Write editorial team!