Level Up: Your Ultimate Guide to Time, Study, & Reading Skills

Tired of the “just try harder” advice? Scroll down for resources on time management, study tips, and reading comprehension to turn your good habits to GREAT.

Part 1: Time Management 

Real Talk: Procrastination isn’t always laziness – sometimes it’s overwhelm in disguise.

Tools That Slap:

• Notion or Google Calendar for digital organization;
• Forest App for focus (plant trees while you work!)
• Alarms/Reminders named things like “Future You Will Thank Present You”

Part 2: Study Tips

What Works:

• Active recall > rereading
• Teaching someone else = you actually get it
• Breaks = brain boost (Pomodoro method!)
• Visual Learners: Draw mind maps, color-code notes, use diagrams;
• Auditory Learners: Record yourself explaining the topic, talk it out with friends
• Kinesthetic Learners: Walk while studying, act things out, use flashcards with movement

Part 3: Reading Comprehension

Reading isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re reading for fun, a class assignment, or a test, how you read should change depending on why you’re reading. Yet, reading with purpose is like going to the gym — you get stronger with reps. Let’s break it down:

Levels of Reading:

• Leisure Reading (i.e., Chill Mode): for enjoyment, not analysis.
  • How to Read:
    • Go with the flow. Read without stopping to take notes or analyze deeply.
    • Highlight what hits. If a quote moves you or makes you laugh, mark it.
    • Follow your feels. Don’t push through something you hate.
  • Techniques & Tips:
    • Track your reads. Log the books that you love.
    • Switch formats. E-books, audiobooks, physical books — mix it up to stay engaged.
    • Annotate casually. Doodle, write reactions, or highlight fav quotes (Sticky notes for the win).
    • Buddy Reads. Read the same book with a friend and share reactions.
• Academic Reading (i.e., Assignment Mode): reading to remember, discuss, or analyze
  • How to Read:
    • Chunk it up. Break long texts into sections and pause to reflect after each.
    • Read with purpose. Ask: “What am I supposed to get from this?” (Main ideas? Themes? Arguments?)
    • Use sticky notes or margins. Jot down quick reactions, summaries, or questions that may help you to recall information.
  • Techniques & Tips:
    • SQ3R Method:
      • Survey: Skim headings, intros, summaries first
      • Question: Turn headings into questions (e.g., “What does the author say about identity?”)
      • Read: Actively look for answers
      • Recite: Summarize in your own words
      • Review: Go back and quiz yourself later
    • Cornell Notes: Divide your page.
      • Left column = questions/keywords;
      • Right column = notes;
      • Bottom = summary.
    • Color-Code Themes. Use different highlighter colors for main ideas, unfamiliar vocab, and key examples.
• Test-Taking Reading (i.e., Boss Mode): reading for quick thinking and/or a critical eye
  • How to Read:
    • Skim + Scan. Read the first sentence of each paragraph, look for keywords in the questions, then go back to the text.
    • Find proof. Always go back to the passage to justify your answer — don’t rely on memory or gut.
  • Techniques & Tips:
    • Read the Questions First. Especially on multiple choice tests like the SAT, knowing what to look for can save time.
    • Underline while reading. Mark names, dates, tone shifts, and main ideas on the first pass.