Effective reading is among the various factors that contribute to meaningful participation and success at tertiary level. However, much attention has been spent on exploring the importance of academic writing, and yet, academic reading also plays an integral role as it lays the foundation for the students’ ability to access information from various academic texts for academic learning. This paper examines the need to teach both reading and writing as critical skills that promote reading for meaning and help first-year students achieve academic success. Using a conceptual analytical view, the importance of teaching both reading and writing among first-year university students is revealed. The paper creates awareness among policy makers that effective reading and writing are both critical in academic learning and should be given equal attention from the initial stages of first-year students’ tertiary education. The paper recommends for on-going research on how giving equal attention to reading and writing can enhance reading skills and contribute towards academic success among university students.

Keywords: Reading and writing, equal attention, university students, academic success.