Speed Reading Techniques for StudentsHome » Study Skills » Speed ReadingHave you ever wished you could speed read your textbook? With so much material covering so many different subjects, figuring out when you have time to read everything can be a significant challenge for many students. This is not a new concept. In fact, it has been utilized by individuals and scholars for generations. It also offers a viable option for many students looking to either learn material initially, or when preparing to take an exam. Focusing on Bold and Italic TypeMany textbooks place the most important concepts in bold type. As you are skimming over the textbook material, stop and note what is listed in bold print. While you shouldn’t skip the remaining portions of the textbook, a high percentage of exam questions will appear based upon the material shown in bold or italics. Focus on the Key PointsWhen skimming through textbook material, focus on capturing the key message or thought within each page. Once you have identified the key points, you can read for supporting notes and thoughts as you prepare your study outline. Your study outline should be exactly that- a brief and focused outline of the materials you are reading, making it easy to pull out and re-scan when it is time to study for an exam.Read in BlocksWhile you were likely taught to read every word on a page, skilled speed readers are able to read words in blocks by focusing their eyes on larger word groupings. With a small amount of practice, you can begin to pick up large chunks of text when you are reading, without missing any of the key points or messages. Use a PointerTo reduce the number of times you required to go back and re-read a sentence, use a pointer when you read. The pointer will allow your eyes to focus only on the text you are supposed to be reading, rather than allowing your eyes to wander over the textbook pages. Most students use their pen, pencil or highlighter as a pointer when reading, but anything that allows your eyes to follow along with the text can be effective.Practice, Practice, PracticePractice makes perfect. Practice reading small amounts of text at a faster pace, writing down what you believe the main concept or point of the passage was and then returning to review it at a normal reading pace.If your answers are consistently matching, you are beginning to master the basics of this technique. Over time, you can begin to increase your pace, without losing the much needed comprehension of the materials being read. Reading faster allows you to not only pick up the pace during study sessions, but can also effectively work to improve your overall comprehension of the materials. Focus on the tips outlined above to begin speed reading your textbooks! Contributed by Julie W. Return from Speed Reading to Study Skills
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