How does one build a college-level reading vocabulary?

Question

Mostly by memorization, but their are learning devices that help speed the process.

Answer 1

Good practice would be to start reading actual college material. Maybe even better: read work written by academics. Find a subject that interests you and get to work reading a few papers; keep your phone by your side so you can Google words that are unfamiliar to you. Before Googling, try your best to guess the meaning from the context, roots, etc.. Afterwards, try to write a few sentences using the word. Then, continue with your reading until you find the next unfamiliar word.

Good luck with your studies.

Answer 2

I would add to the above stock and valid advice: Learn your common Greek and Latin roots. They become enormously helpful in guessing a word's meaning. Knowledge of them is especially helpful in learning scientific and medical terms.