Reading and lectures

Getting the most out of lectures

Getting the most out of lectures is about more than effective note-taking. It’s also good to practise active listening and be prepared to review your notes.

Effective reading techniques

Tackle your course reading. Read more strategically, actively and critically.

Making notes from reading

Why and how we make notes. Including lots of examples and tools

Seven ways to make notes

There are many different ways to make notes. Some are better suited to taking notes in lectures and some to making notes from reading.

Technology for study

Software, apps, extensions and Library tools to help you study more effectively.

More information

Group of laptop users sitting at a table with only hands and devices visible

Top Tips

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Prepare

Get an overview of complex topics through accessible sources e.g. video, TV, podcast, simpler book or discussion with friends.

Read ‘actively’

Have questions in mind.
see Critical Thinking

Strategies

SQ3R method.
Read in short bursts (stay focused).
Keep checking it makes sense.
Be prepared to read texts several times.

Use technology

There are t ools/apps for:

Reading text out loud.
Tinting the screen.
Changing font, spacing and size.
Learning to speed read.
Annotating texts.
Referencing.

Take smarter notes

Re-format texts as bullet points, mind maps, diagrams or audio notes.
Make quotations stand out from your words.
Use abbreviations.
Make glossaries of new words.

Resources

Thesaurus.com

Build your vocabulary with this online tool which gives synonyms, definitions and pronunciations of words.

Seeing AI

A free iOS app which helps users with low vision capture and read aloud text. Find out more about Seeing AI.

Screenshot of text dictated and transcribed on smartphone being viewed online

Otter ai

Record audio on your smartphone or tablet and it will be transcribed. View, listen and edit online. Watch the Otter ai video here.

Rewordify

Rewordify is an online tool which simplifies texts and defines difficult words. Watch the Rewordify video here.

Natural Reader Online

A text-to-speech tool with natural-sounding voices. Customise speed, voice and highlighting to suit. You can also upload documents, PDFs and PowerPoints to read out loud. Watch the NRO video here.

OpenDyslexic

OpenDyslexic is a font which some people with dyslexia may find easier to read. Works with Chrome and Safari.

Visor

Chrome extension which will lets you tint your screen and add a reading ruler.

Immersive Reader

Use Immersive Reader in Word, Outlook and OneNote to read text out loud, change the font, spacing and background colour and use a reading ruler. Watch the video to find out more.

Selection Reader

Selection Reader is a simple Chrome extension which will read aloud any text you highlight in webpages when using the Chrome browser.

Writing annotated bibliographies

Useful guidance from the University of Leeds.

Reading Skills

Advice and interactive exercises from the University of Sheffield to improve reading skills.

Spreeder

Free online tool to help you develop your reading speed.

My Study Bar

A set of freeware apps to help with reading, writing, planning and organisation. Comes with tutorials and can be run from a flash drive. PC only.

How to use your reading in your essays

How to quote, paraphrase and summarise sources. Has real examples of students' writing and information about common errors.

41 of the best podcasts for curious minds

Great list of educational podcasts to aid research and broaden knowledge.

Reading and lectures

Take notes that help you learn