📕 How to Read like a PhD Student: Tips for Reading Fast & Efficiently for Slow Readers
Unlock the Secret to Academic Success: Master Reading and Note-Taking Like a Pro!
Are you ready to elevate your reading game and skyrocket your retention? Discover my exclusive, proven strategies that have helped countless students read not just faster, but smarter!
Reading is essential for anyone in research or academia, yet it’s a skill that often takes years to perfect. With these groundbreaking techniques, you'll learn how to dissect complex arguments and extract key insights effortlessly. Whether you're in high school, pursuing an undergraduate degree, or navigating a PhD program, these game-changing tips will empower you to excel and stand out!
1. Reading for Class
Start each term by reviewing your syllabi and prioritizing readings aligned with your goals.
Professors often don’t expect you to read every assigned text. Instead, focus on what’s most relevant to you and your research. Use the index or table of contents to identify critical chapters you might be called upon during the seminar.
For class notes, I rely on Notion, which is an excellent tool (my favorite tool!) for organizing my academic materials effectively (and my life, honestly!). I customize a reading database tailored to my courses and research projects. For each book, article, or chapter, I create a dedicated page or entry that serves as a comprehensive resource.
In each entry, I systematically divide my notes into three categories:
Major Themes: Summarize the big ideas. Focus on the key themes and findings, which helps me grasp the material's essence at a glance.
Scholarship: Identify key scholars and their arguments with which the author is interacting with.
Questions: Note any queries that arise. Here is where you can mention bullet points in your seminar or class. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments, consider the author's perspective, and connect the material to other course concepts or literature.
Rather than exhaustive note-taking, treat your class notes as talking points to aid participation and exam prep. Trust me, this approach saves time and boosts confidence. By organizing my notes in this manner, I ensure that I have a well-rounded understanding of each piece of literature and can easily revisit the material when preparing for discussions or exams.
2. Reading for Retention
Long-term memory requires active recall. Passive reading alone won’t cut it. Here’s what works:
To effectively retain information, especially in the context of graduate school, students must engage in active learning strategies. This is critical when preparing for comprehensive exams, where a deep understanding of a vast amount of material is necessary.
Incorporating these active learning strategies into study routines can transform the typical approach to preparing for comprehensive exams and managing dissertation work, ultimately leading to better retention and understanding of the materials!
Teach the Material: Discuss readings with peers, professors, or even a camera.
Integrate Ideas: Apply what you’ve read to essays or projects.
When taking notes for retention, I organize them under headers like:
Main Argument: What’s the author’s thesis?
Supporting Evidence: What backs up their claims?
Methods: How was the evidence analyzed?
Scholarly Debate: Which scholars are referenced?
This structure clarifies each text’s contribution and relevance to your research.
2.a How to Read an Article
Use Marginal Notes to Stay Engaged: While reading, jot down notes in the margins of the text. This could include key phrases, questions that arise, or initial reactions to the author’s argument. Marginal notes help to maintain focus and provide a quick summary of your thoughts when revisiting the text later.
Identify the Type of Evidence and Methods: As you read, categorize the evidence (e.g., primary data, historical documents, or secondary literature) and the methods (e.g., theoretical, quantitative, or qualitative) used by the author. Understanding the type of evidence and methodology employed can clarify how the argument is constructed and its relevance to your research.
2.b How to read a Book
Analyze the Table of Contents for Structure: Before diving into the book, review the table of contents to understand its structure and flow. Use this to identify sections that are immediately relevant to your research or interests. This preparatory step can save time and guide your reading priorities.
Footnotes and Citations as Insightful Add-Ons: Pay close attention to the footnotes and bibliography while reading. These sections often contain additional context, alternative interpretations, and further references that enrich your understanding of the book’s argument and its place within the scholarly discourse.
3. Reading for Research
Reading for research is highly focused. Start with a clear purpose and search for key terms in the text or use the book’s index. Skim sections not directly related to your topic.
Introduction and Conclusion: These sections often contain the thesis and main takeaways—don’t skim here.
Chapters: Read the first few pages thoroughly, skim the middle, and focus on the conclusion.
Examples and Evidence: Jot down only the most relevant points.
A special note for slow readers: Take it step by step. Skimming strategically can save you time without sacrificing understanding.
I will never stop talking about Notion!
Notion is my go-to for organizing readings, tracking progress, and storing notes. It integrates beautifully with citation tools like Zotero, making it indispensable for comprehensive exams and long-term projects.
The dissertation dashboard template offers numerous benefits for students navigating the complexities of their doctoral journey.
Enhanced Organization: The template provides a structured format for managing research progress, deadlines, and milestones. This organization helps students stay on track and ensures they are aware of all key components of their dissertation process.
Real-Time Tracking: The ability to monitor progress in real-time allows students to quickly identify any areas that may require additional attention. This feature is crucial for managing time effectively, especially in the later stages of the dissertation process.
Resource Management: Students can integrate their various resources, including literature, data sources, and contacts, directly into the dashboard. This centralization makes it easier to access crucial information when needed, eliminating the stress of searching through multiple documents or applications.
Adopting a dissertation dashboard template can empower students by streamlining their processes and enhancing their overall dissertation experience.
Final Thoughts
Reading is about purpose and strategy, not speed. Whether you’re tackling comprehensive exams, writing a dissertation, or engaging with class readings, these methods can help you navigate the academic maze efficiently.
I hope these tips resonate with you! What strategies have worked for you? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear them.
Thank you for reading, and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel for more insights on academia, research, and graduate life!