How can you cope up with the endless reading required for the general ed. classes in college?

Question

Any successful strategies that you've used? Any good practices that help with this?

Answer 1

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html


Try testing out of them. It shortens your path to your degree.

Answer 2

Well, I'm finally in my senior year at San Diego State University and let me tell you, there has been tons of pointless reading. As horrible as this sounds, to get through it I would try to figure out what was really truly necessary. If it was a huge textbook I'd usually just read the chapter summaries and look up words in the glossary without actually reading each chapter. Although it's not the best strategy it works when you're pressed for time, and I always got Bs on my exams. As for smaller books you usually actually need to read those, so plan it out as best you can. If you have over 100 pages of reading the only way to do it is about 20 pages at a time or so. If all else fails and you really don't have enough time to do all your reading, read the most important books. If you have a class that's graded solely on tests from the readings, you need to read those. If one class has extra credit you can probably get away with reading a little less and doing the extra credit. Anyway, good luck and you'll get through it!

Answer 3

Take the easiest classes possible, that dont require lots of writing. Some classes require less than others and if any of them work towards your major then make sure you take them.

Take 15+ units every semester and it'll go by pretty fast. Taking 21 units will make it go by even faster! Even if you hate the classes, always have your goal in mind so you can get through it. Without that goal you may not do as well. Just always know that you have something to look forward to: upper division classes, a break/holiday, or even just graduation! Try to enjoy college!

Answer 4

For me, I had to separate the classes.. For instance, I didn't take history with literature or English 2 (which are both TONS of reading and papers).. I split my classes up.. Either history or lit or Eng. but not all in one sem.. I also don't read the whole chapter. I answer the questions at the end of the chapter and read summaries and HOPE that works.. In lit, of course, you have to read all of it for the papers and speeches. A lot of it depends on what ur teacher expects and how their testing is.. Go to www.ratemyprofessors.com and it will tell u (student ratings) how hard the classes were, what students thought about the class, etc. GL

Answer 5

Try taking as many of them in a semester as possible to get them out of the way. That's what I did. If you can't do that, try mixing them in with your classes for your major so they aren't as obtrusive.