<p>I am really anxious about my reading speed actually of all the things (my height is pretty ok for an International student: 177cm= 59 and I am least concerned about my looks)
It is about 200-250 while the average for college bound students is about 350-375. I have started Triple Your Reading Speed by Wade E. Cutler and How to Read Better and Faster by Norman Lewis but I dont seem to notice any substantial improvement. I have about 50 days to get my act together. I have incurred this upon myself and I will have to deal with it. But I am frustrated every time I make an attempt to generate a sense of urgency or read in lines while reading. Anyone else with the similar problem? Open up!
Also, the academics: I had a very poor preparation for the last two years in high school and I havent had any studies for the last 6 months since the end of school in Nov 2005. I am feeling a bit low. I dont like half-ass perfunctory study and I used to be more of a conscientious, thorough worker. But then I lost it, I dont know why or how. That is why I could not achieve in the last two years the stuffs I shouldve achieved academically. What do you guys suggest me do about my academics and my reading speed.</p>
<p>It sounds like to me that you are too rushed. I understand your time squeeze, but getting frustrated thwarts any amount of improvement. Actually, I don't think you need to necessarily "generate a sense of urgency" or "read in the lines." From what I've read, increasing your reading speed starts from just plain reading something you enjoy, daily. That is, reading an enjoyable novel as quickly as you can without losing understanding of the material while you are reading. Practice this daily. And, I feel that above all, a lot of reading problems stem from the fact that you may be unmotivated or the material does not interest you, so you lose focus. About your academics, I suggest a book, "Kick Ass in College" by Gunnar Fox.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Not being able to read quite as fast won't necessarily be a huge problem, depending on your school and workload. You'll simply have to block out more time to complete your readings than the average student. Reading faster might make you happier and less stressed, but there's no rush to be a speedreader by the first day of college. It's something you can work up to gradually.
Also, if you feel yourself slipping academically, go to your school's tutors/counselors/whoever they have to help you out. Talk about why you're anxious and they'll help you develop strategies that will probably be more effective than tips in a speedreading book.</p>
<p>for me...i dont rush the reading. let the book pull you in and if im enjoying the book i read it faster, also if you get to know the book well as you read, i sometimes skip paragraphs that i know are gonna b boring.</p>
<p>Reading speed matters little in science...</p>
<p>/took me ages to absorb a 3 pages paper on Schoenfeld residuals, and I flew through a 100 page thesis on medieval literature</p>
<p>Thank you guys for your advice! Appreciate it!</p>
<p>Yes I intend to major in Science so if Blabof is true, I need not worry about my reading speed. But today I had a major epiphany and it comes in the form of an analogy: While reading a text, I should not focus on the difficult words with elusive meanings, on contrived phrases or on ambiguous paragraphs, but try to move on so as to get the wholistic meaning of the entire text. Likewise, when I am living my life, I should not focus on the apparently insurmountable problem of reading faster or on improving my academics, but should move on and have a bird's eye view of my entire life.</p>
<p>I will definitely have a shot at improving my speed and my academics. I have decided to take my time with it.</p>
<p>Thank you guys a bunch. Believe me your efforts have been worth your while.</p>
<p>Just relax. I think the most important factor about reading speed is really just the environment. If you have a lot of reading to do in a short time (and in reality, if you budget your time well, you really won't), just go to the library or a quiet place where you can really concentrate.</p>
<p>Im not too sure how your reading speed will have a bearing on your grades if you're just willing to put the time in. If you need a little more time, just take it and your speed will get better. Plus, if you're a science major, the reading will be slow anyways so no worries.</p>
<p>I hear electives such as humanities, history and obviously, English entail A LOT OF reading. This is my major concern. As I have not been exposed to Greek mythology and classical literature in high school, I am worried that my performance will be sub par because of my poor reading speed. I am afraid I will be left out of stimulating in-class discussions in these elective classes because I will have to devote most of my time to subjects such as Physics instead of pouring over Homer's Odyssey or Aristotle's The Republic (and these are damn ponderous!). I am afraid that this in turn will bring down my GPA. That is my concern.</p>
<p>Plato's The Republic</p>
<p>i don't read particularly fast. its not really a problem so long as you pick the things who are going to read carefully.</p>
<p>oh sorry! But you get the point.</p>