There is a type of reading that lets the words fall like gentle rain into your brain. Ahhhh – so soothing – zzzzzz. Actually, I’m more likely to be reviewing my to-do list or planning my next blog post when reading passively. Brains love to think, but often have “minds of their own”. The good news is that they respond to direction. Give direction while reading to fully engage your brain’s power. Using a highlighter or underlining is a step in the right direction, because it is giving your brain questions like – What is most important? What is new to me? What is interesting? You can do even better. You’ll get the most out of reading when you are crystal clear on your reading purpose. Don’t even bother to read unless you pick a purpose and give your brain a question. Here are some to try: Why did the authors use that study design (or statistical model)? What is another explanation for the results? How is this the same (or different) from what I already know? What does that word mean? (Look it up). Why did my instructor assign this? Meta-questions include: Why is this writing compelling, or clunky? What type of article or book is this? Who are these authors and what else have they written? When reading for courses, your instructor may have given you reading questions. Of course use them! When reading a primary journal article, super-engaged reading can occur if you use an article critique worksheet with step by step questions. Email me and I’ll send you one – really. The good news is that during the course of your graduate training you will be moving from a phase when others select your reading (courses) to when you pick them already with a purpose in mind (dissertation). You will also become more familiar with the types of questions you will need to ask, where in an article to find the answers, and so many more facets of effective reading. For now, pick one or two good questions before reading. Write down your questions, and your answers – on the reading or in a reading notebook. Sounds like work, right? You betcha. Get to it!