Speed Reading for Students: Read 3x Faster with Comprehension

College involves a lot of reading. If you read at the average speed of 200 words per minute (wpm), you will struggle to keep up. Here is how to hit 600 wpm.

1. Stop Subvocalizing

Most people "say" the words in their head as they read. This limits your reading speed to your speaking speed (approx 150-200 wpm). Your brain can process images much faster. Try to look at the words without "hearing" them.

2. The Pointer Method

Use your finger or a pen to guide your eyes. Move it underneath the line you are reading. This keeps your eyes focused and prevents them from skipping back (regression).

3. Peripheral Vision

Don't focus on the first and last word of every line. Your peripheral vision can pick them up. Start reading the 3rd word in and stop at the 3rd word from the end. This reduces eye movement significantly.

4. Skimming vs. Scanning

• Skimming: Reading the first and last sentence of each paragraph to get the main idea. Use this for non-essential readings.
• Scanning: Looking for specific keywords (e.g., a date or a name). Use this when searching for answers.

5. Practice with 'Spritz'

There are apps like Spritz that flash one word at a time on the screen. This eliminates eye movement entirely and can train you to process information faster.

Warning: Don't speed read complex textbooks (like Physics or Math). Speed read history, literature, or supplementary materials.