<p>I feel like one thing that has held me back in my academic endeavors is my poor ability to read effectively. I got your typical ADD type situation that I get distracted every couple of paragraphs. Also, I don't grasp the whole thing unless I read relatively slow. </p>
<p>So what are you guy's tips to overcome this?</p>
<p>read in the library</p>
<p>If you actually have ADD try medication, or a different medication.</p>
<p>I do and have a hard time remembering what I read–like I get to the bottom of the page and am like, “wait, what was that again?” So I summarize paragraphs/sections with sticky notes and stick them over the part of the book I am summarizing so when I have to go back I have less to read, and sometimes that added organization keeps me on board so I don’t have to go back at all. Makes studying from the book much easier, too.</p>
<p>Man, I have this same problem. I’ll re-read paragraphs two or three times before actually comprehending them… When I’m on Adderall, I’ll read easily twice as fast AND comprehend everything on the first read AND I’ll retain the information for much longer.</p>
<p>I haven’t figured out how to read for comprehension very well without medication… But I hate the thought of relying on chemicals, so I just suffer for now.</p>
<p>I don’t have ADD, but have found that I can get distracted when I’ve got lots on my plate, so I end up thinking about other things that need to be completed. When that happens, I find it helpful to try and summarize what I’m reading every couple of paragraphs. I will either write it down, say it out loud, or explain it to my husband and then go back and see if I was correct.</p>
<p>Are there any multimedia aids available to you? I’ve found that many of my classes now have cds or videos online that help explain the material. I’ve discovered that getting the material from a variety of mediums helps me understand and retain the information better than by just reading alone.</p>