Firstly, you need to really make good use of your textbook. Don’t worry about resale value, or whether or not it will look pretty when you’re done. The textbook is for you to use during the semester – that’s why you have it.

Underline, circle and make margin notes as you read along. I don’t mean highlighting the whole page; just the few key phrases that can help the main concepts “stick out” on the page, and thus “stick in” your mind. This helps direct your focus to the most important things, while also making those things easier to recall.

Get some sticky-notes and mark the important pages. In a textbook with 500 pages there would probably be about 50 pages worth marking. Skimming through these pages in those last few precious seconds before the exam can make a big difference to your performance.

Transfer important notes to the front of the book. Use the covers to scribble away new facts or ideas. This helps to cement the concepts in your mind. Also, making notes helps you to understand concepts more clearly; just because your mind is re-absorbing the information in a different format. And, of course, the better your understanding of the material, the more likely you’ll be able to recall it correctly when a test comes along.

Finally, when you finish with the book, re-read the marked pages. If you want, you can make a mind map of the content; some people say that mind maps can greatly improve your memory. In any case, mixing up the format of the information will make it easier to digest.

Try using these tips for the courses you’re taking now, and see if you can’t turn the tables on those students that always beat you on tests!

It is not uncommon for someone who learns the “secrets of speed reading” to double their reading speed. That’s a big deal. To help prove how much of a big deal it is, I’d like you to imagine that your top reading speed was half of what it is right now. No matter what your reading speed is right now, halve that speed, and just try to read through this line… like… I’m… speaking… really… slowly… Do you know how long it would take you to read through this whole article? Regardless of your current speed, it would take TWICE as much time as is necessary.  Simple as that. Forget the actual number of minutes – just consider what would mean to always have to spend twice as much time as is necessary when reading. If all students learned how to speed read, they would be able to cover more content in their studying time, or at least lessen the amount of time they spend studying, while reading just as much as before.

When one learns how to speed read, their comprehesion level usually rises. This is usually because of a higher level of immersion in the text, and better use of focus and concentration. When students improve their comprehension level, it means they understand more of the content, they remember more of the content, and it means they are more prepared for any kind of testing that may come up concerning that material. A student who knows how to speed read will consistently out-do the student who reads normally – it has nothing to do with intelligence, it has to do with using the proper tools and techniques to your advantage. But speed reading does not only improve speed and comprehension – it improves one more thing, tha tis possibly most important of all…

Speed reading makes reading fun. If you yourself know how to speed read, then I’m sure you understand what I mean when I say that sometimes, you’ll be excited to read. Reading becomes such a wonderful, enjoyable activity when the information from the words comes rushing at you, and you absorb so much information in so little time. It’s kind of like in the movie “The Matrix” when all they had to do was “upload” information into a person’s brain, so that they could learn extremely quickly. Speed reading may not be quite as fast as that, but it’s similar! When you’re able to learn that quickly, it becomes a real joy to learn. It’s from that joy that schools could earn respect not just from parents and onlookers, but from the students themselves! Most students don’t like school because it’s boring and slow. Imagine how that would change if their learning speed was doubled.

Speed reading has numerous benefits, and they are all amplified in a school environment. With a higher reading speed, students can cover the same amount of material in less time. With a higher comprehension level, they understand the material better and are more prepared for tests. And finally, with more interest in reading, their appreciation for school grows. I think all students should learn how to speed read as soon as possible. “Normal reading” is holding them back, and keeping them from reaching their full potential in academics.