Issue date: 10/15/08 Section: News

Sophomore biology major Dominique Dixon goes over her notes in one of the private rooms of the Reading Center in Buzzard Hall on Monday. Dixon said she comes to the reading center because "it's a very quiet environment, I like to study by myself and it allows me to get more work done." (Karolina Strack / The Daily Eastern News)

Correction added

The Reading Center is not just for those majoring in teaching, but also for any students that would like to improve their reading and study skills.

"Most incoming freshmen would benefit from a general reading and study skills course," said Janet Carpenter, director of the Reading Center.

Carpenter's various workshops offer many different approaches to reading strategies, which can help students improve their test-taking skills.

The workshops are offered to all students, including those who have been out of school for a while or who are simply looking to freshen up on their reading skills.

Since Eastern does not require incoming students to take a similar course, Carpenter said she hopes the workshops the center provides will help students.

The center offers a computerized program called Learning Plus, which diagnoses students' reading, math and English skills to help them perform better on the Basic Skills Test.

This program provides individualized feedback and can help students in areas they need to improve on, Carpenter said.

Neda Ansari is a graduate assistant who helps out at the center.

"As a graduate student, I provide assistance to those who need help with homework or papers in their classes," Ansari said. "I also help with reading and comprehension so they better understand their reading material."

The center has provided students, such as Samantha Turner, a more comfortable environment to study in.

"I use the study rooms and meet up with other students from my class to review notes and prepare for upcoming class," Turner said. "I like studying at the Reading Center because I am not afraid to ask questions and get help when I need it."

The center will host an upcoming workshop called "Getting Ready for Exams: How to be a better test-taker with improved note taking and reading strategies" at 1 p.m. Oct. 21 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 11 in the Reading Center, 1320 Buzzard Hall.

Eastern's Reading Center is open during both the fall and spring semester from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The center is closed on weekends.

Appointments are appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome.

Reading Workshop

• What: "Getting Ready for Exams: How to be a better test-taker with improved note taking and reading strategies"
• When: 1 p.m. on Oct. 21 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 11
• Where: Eastern's Reading Center, 1320 Buzzard Hall
• For more info: Call 581-5728 or e-mail jlrussell@eiu. edu

Amanda Paluzzi can be reached at 581-7942 or at dennewsdesk@gmail.com.

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