Study Skills - Reading Efficiently

At the Learning Lab you can take Speed Reading (REA-112) for two credits as an independent study class. This class will get you ready for the rest of your college work. However, here are some tips to help you right now.

As you read:

1. Avoid moving your head; move your eyes instead.
2. Only move your mouth to understand very difficult material; otherwise, don’t sub-vocalize.
3. Read to the end of the sentence or paragraph without rereading.
4. Read in large phrases (3 or more words long), not word by word.

Three Myths:

1. If I read faster, I’ll lose comprehension.
   Truth: You can read at a rate equal to your thinking rate to improve comprehension.
2. I have only one rate of speed.
   Truth: You can vary your rate according to your purpose.
3. Speed reading is never appropriate in textbook reading.
   Truth: You can skim or preview to gain the central ideas.

Improve your reading by:

1. Practicing daily.
2. Reading a little faster than usual.
3. Assessing your understanding of what you read.