When you spend on academic reading it is important that you approach it in a sustainable and effective way. If you don’t you can set yourself unrealistically demanding tasks and then feel discouraged if you can’t complete them. With that in mind it is important you think about how you approach the reading.

How much time do you have?

Is your reading for a seminar in 30 minutes, or do you have an afternoon spare to slowly work through the assigned reading?
Do you do your best work at the weekend over a cup of tea, or in between lectures and classes?

How long you can read whilst maintaining good concentration?

Are you the sort of person who can sit for 6 hours in the library, or do you need to go for a coffee break or a walk to break it up?

Pomodoro

You might enjoy the Pomodoro Technique, where you read for 25 minutes then take a 5-minute break.

How does your brain respond to different levels of tiredness or distraction?

Can you work through your reading over the hubbub of the canteen and your baked potato, or do you need the calm of the library to get your work done?
Can you read whilst blasting ABBA's greatest hits, or do you need some background noise (library noise).
Are you able to read after a 10-hour shift at your job?
Do you work better in the morning or the afternoon, or even at night?
How does your brain respond to alcohol and caffeine? Does it effect your concentration?
Do you work well alone?
Do you need your friends with you in the library to keep you accountable, or do they distract you?
Do you work a set number of hours a day (like a job) or do you work around deadlines and when you are feeling like it?

Ultimately you know yourself best, so unfortunately only you can answer these questions!