Any views expressed within media held on this service are those of the contributors, should not be taken as approved or endorsed by the University, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University in respect of any particular issue.
SPS student voices and experiences
 
Navigating Your Reading Lists: Harini’s Guide to Efficient Time Management

Navigating Your Reading Lists: Harini’s Guide to Efficient Time Management

Getting ready for Semester 2? Harini shares her guide to navigating academic reading lists, from planning your time efficiently to mastering different reading techniques.

Blog by Harini

As a History and Politics student, keeping up with the extensive reading lists can sometimes feel like an impossible task. From dense academic articles to historical primary sources and lengthy political theory texts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Over the past year, I’ve developed strategies that help me manage these readings efficiently while still maintaining a deep understanding of the material.

Break Down Your Reading List Early

At the beginning of each semester, I take the time to go through my entire reading list, scanning the titles and chapters to get an overview. Our course organizers conveniently categorise the readings, which helps me prioritise:

  • Essential readings: These are core texts needed to understand the week’s lectures and tutorials.
  • Recommended readings: These provide additional context and can be skimmed or referenced as needed.
  • Extracurricular readings: These are materials I find on my own, helping me deepen my knowledge on topics of interest.

By breaking down my reading list early, I can plan and avoid getting overwhelmed by last-minute cramming.

Create a Weekly Reading Plan

I find it essential to create a structured weekly plan that aligns with my course calendar. I assign readings to specific days and break longer, more complex texts into manageable chunks. This way, I’m not stuck rushing through readings the night before a tutorial.

For example, if I have three readings in a week for one module, I’ll focus on completing the essential readings first, then move on to recommended readings if I have extra time. Here’s an example of my typical weekly timetable for readings:

Having a plan like this ensures I can stay on track while still leaving room for flexibility.

Master Skimming and Scanning Techniques

Not all readings require the same level of focus. Sometimes, simply skimming through the introduction and conclusion of an article can give you a good sense of the argument without having to dive into every detail. This is especially helpful for recommended readings or secondary sources.

Lectures often cover key arguments, so skimming texts before class can help you pick up on extra details while already understanding the main points. For primary sources, I focus on sections that are most relevant to my topic or essay, leaving the rest for when I have more time.

A quick scan of headings, subheadings, and the first sentence of paragraphs can also help you assess which parts deserve a deeper read.

Engage Actively with the Material

I’ve learned that actively engaging with the readings, rather than passively consuming them, makes all the difference. Highlighting important passages, writing notes in the margins, or summarising key points helps reinforce what I’ve read. When it’s time to write an essay or revise for exams, I can focus on my notes rather than having to re-read entire texts.

Additionally, many tutors provide guiding questions to keep in mind while reading. This helps focus my attention on the most important arguments and ensure I don’t get lost in unnecessary details.

Use Technology to Your Advantage

Technology has been a game-changer for managing my readings efficiently. Here are a few tools I rely on:

  • Spotify: I listen to lofi music to help me stay focused. I avoid music with lyrics as it can be distracting and interfere with absorbing information.
  • Audible/Text-to-Speech: For lighter readings or when I’m commuting or doing chores, I’ll listen to the texts instead. This is particularly useful for narrative-driven readings or when I’m short on time.
  • iPad for Reading: I love using my iPad for digital readings, as I can annotate directly on the screen and organise my notes. I don’t have to worry about forgetting books at home, and I always bring a notebook to tutorials for jotting down extra thoughts.

Build in Time for Reflection

It’s easy to speed through readings just to check them off your list, but I find it important to take some time to reflect on what I’ve read. After finishing my readings for the day, I set aside 5-10 minutes to connect them to the week’s lectures and discussions. This way, I deepen my understanding and come up with fresh ideas for future essays.

Most of my reflection, however, happens during group discussions in tutorials, where bouncing ideas off others helps solidify key concepts and allows me to hear different perspectives.

Stay Flexible and Adapt

Even with the best planning, there will be weeks when readings pile up. In these situations, I stay flexible. If I’m running out of time, I use YouTube videos or podcasts on certain topics to help summarise readings (when available), and occasionally, I’ll skip a reading if it’s not essential. For weeks with three readings in one module, I’ll prioritise one and scan the others.

REMEMBER, THE KEY IS BALANCE! Skipping one reading doesn’t mean you’re falling behind—it’s about knowing how to use your time wisely and staying adaptable.

Finding Balance

Balancing multiple readings, essays, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments isn’t easy. But with proper planning, flexibility, and a strategy that works for you, it’s manageable. My advice to fellow History and Politics students is to experiment with different approaches until you find a rhythm that fits your schedule and learning style. Prioritise, engage actively, and don’t hesitate to reach out to coursemates, tutors, or lecturers for help with difficult readings.

I’d love to hear how others manage their reading loads! Feel free to share your strategies in the comments—let’s keep this conversation going.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

css.php

Report this page

To report inappropriate content on this page, please use the form below. Upon receiving your report, we will be in touch as per the Take Down Policy of the service.

Please note that personal data collected through this form is used and stored for the purposes of processing this report and communication with you.

If you are unable to report a concern about content via this form please contact the Service Owner.

Please enter an email address you wish to be contacted on. Please describe the unacceptable content in sufficient detail to allow us to locate it, and why you consider it to be unacceptable.
By submitting this report, you accept that it is accurate and that fraudulent or nuisance complaints may result in action by the University.

  Cancel