Reading effectively

You’re assigned a substantial amount of meaningful materials to read. Here are some tips on how to manage the load strategically:

• Plan your reading.
• Engage time-management practices to dedicate regular time to doing your course readings.
• Consider the best time of day, locations or environments for your reading.
• Use active reading techniques so you stay attentive and can learn and understand as you go.
• Consider reading as a form of conversation.

Helpful documents

• • Reading Effectively (PDF)
  • Critical Reading Toward Critical Writing (U of T Writing Advice)
  • How to Take Notes from Classes (PDF)

Apps and assistive technology

We have used some of the apps and websites listed below, and others have come to our attention from students who have found them helpful.

• Natural Reader: Text-to-speech app with different voices to choose from, with more natural and less robotic voices in different languages. Also helps with writing: it picks out errors and gives a sense of how your written sentence flows. iOS, free.
• Adobe Reader: PDF viewer with some annotation/note-taking functions. Android & iOS, free.
• VoiceAloudReader (Google Play/Apple Apps): This app reads text-documents, such as articles and readings, out loud for you – a great way to retain information audibly if you struggle with dense readings. Android & iOS, free.
• Text Help Read & Write Gold
• Word Q
• JAWS
• Kurzweil

Students with disabilities may receive academic accommodations including the support of assistive technologies. Please contact Accessibility Services for more information.

Disclaimer: the University of Toronto does not officially endorse the apps and sites listed here, and  may not be held responsible for any technological problems that arise from their use. Please use at your own discretion.