A Gateway to College Success

Today in the United States many people realizeThese techniques can achieve this goal in many
the importance of a college education.ways, one of which is the transference of data.
Unfortunately, obtaining a college degree can beFor Example, transferring text by taking notes
very time consuming and challenging. Consideringforces a student to not only read, but to read,
theses challenges, it is imperative that studentsprocess, and write ideas from texts. "By noting
utilize any techniques they can to ensure thatthings that are important, interesting, and
they will succeed. Specifically, active readingconfusing, they are able to engage with a text
techniques can increase a student's concentrationand understand it more deeply" (L'Alier, 338).
and ultimately improve the student's performance.Essentially, actively participating in this learning
"When students learn actively, they become moreprocess will increase the amount of information
connected to the subject matter, practice criticalremembered. Also, critical thinking plays a huge
thinking, and interact more with the professor androle in the comprehension and retention of
class members, which make them more likely tomaterial. "Active reading will help you think critically.
stay in college and graduate" (Fritz, 189). ThereFormulating questions about what you have read
are many different techniques that a student canleads to analyzing purposes and
use in order to take an active role in reading. Oneassumptions"(Active). Finally, active reading
of the most common techniques is highlighting.techniques will build a system that a student may
Highlighting or underlining will call attention touse in order to efficiently review the material
important concepts that may be used for futurecovered.
review; it also forces the student to critically thinkThere are several different active reading
about the selected text while deciphering itstechniques that students can use to greatly
importance. Another technique commonly used inimprove their college experience. Some students
active reading is the utilization of tools such asmay even choose to use one or more of these
bookmarks, paperclips, or post-it notes to createtechniques. However, finding which techniques
a system that will ensure proficient review. Finally,work best for them will be the deciding factor of
one of the most involved active readinghow they perform in class as well as what
techniques is note-taking. Taking notes whileinformation they will take with them after
reading enables the student to critically think aboutgraduation.
the topic, and then reinforces memorization whenWorks Cited
the idea is transferred to the notepad."Active Reading Lessons Materials." iStudy.
Making use of the mentioned active readingPennsylvania State University. 18 May 2009
techniques can help students to concentrate onFritz, Margaret. "Using a reading strategy to foster
the material they are trying to learn. Theseactive learning in content area courses."
techniques force a student to pay closer attentionJournal of College Reading and Learning 32.2
and critically think about the topics. This process in(Spring 2002): p189. Academic OneFile. Gale Group
itself can help to alleviate outside distractions thatDatabases. Baker College eLibrary, MI. 18 May
may cause disruption to an individual who simply2009
reads the material. Active reading is especiallyL'Alier, Susan K., and Laurie Elish-Piper. "Walking the
important when trying to tackle reading materialwalk" with teacher educationcandidates: strategies
that is challenging to understand. The increasedfor promoting active engagement with assigned
concentration and focus that result from utilizingreadings: teachers can use active engagement
active reading techniques will have a direct impactstrategies to help teacher candidates interact
on how much a student can retain. The amountmeaningfully with assigned readings for literacy
of information that a student can retain within amethods courses." Journal of Adolescent &
short period of time will have a direct effect onAdult Literacy 50.5 (Feb 2007): p338 Academic
their success.OneFile. Gale Group Databases. Baker College
Active reading techniques can help students retaineLibrary, MI. 18 May 2009.
more information in a shorter period of time.