Help with Reading
 

I got a 2.8 GPA in college because I could never force myself to read. Its not that I dont spend time on it, because I spend countless hours in front of my book. It just takes forever, and I never get the sense that I am understanding/remembering what I read. I have even tried using the SQR3 method. My average reading speed when it comes to fiction or some other article that I am reading is around 300 wpm, which is normal. But when it comes to reading textbooks and other academic material, I sometimes crawl at a pace of 1 page per hour, and on average read around 3 for that same period. It is highly frustrating, and I need to pass this CPA exam and do other things with my life before I can get anywhere. Please help!

I'm not sure how helpful this may be to you, but I know in my case (at least with readings at Uni) that making concise notes on whatever it was made all the difference. And I mean that in a big way. Highlighting to me was way too passive and useless... Afterwards at least I'd have a great map of the info. Of course I was always a really slow reader too, so I'd find I'd get about half way through the material before I had x amount of hours left till the exam. But I always did fine at the end of the day, plus I'm sure you're not half the procrastinator I am and that always helps haha.

Join the club my friend. When it comes to boring textbook reading, my pace is about the same as yours and I retain NOTHING.

Recently, I started skipping chapters entirely. Instead, I'll just go to the end of a section and read the last few paragraphs that sum up the whole thing. As I read through the synopsis, I'll flip back and skim the chapter to find things I feel that I don't understand.

Most of my professors just assign textbook reading for no reason... it's never discussed, never tested, and apparently never useful. I usually don't even buy the required books anymore, and guess what? Same GPA either way.

Are you in a physical space where you can actually read aloud? Or find one? Maybe even into a recording device so you can play back your reading if you don't capture the sense of words when you read them this way? (I add that last bit because I often find I don't retain very well when I read aloud). Or simply sub-audible the words if there is some constraints about the sound you may make if you read to yourself aloud? A reading speed where you spoke as if to an audience would definitely be faster than 1-3 pages/hour.

I have more trouble engaging myself in what I must read. I can burn through fiction books in a day - reading for knowledge can take 20 times that because I find myself on my feet and doing random chores/errands/pleasure seeking activities. It takes real will power to sit and read something that is "good" for me rather than pure fun.

maybe it's the subject matter? I enjoy all of my reading because it has to do with something I love learning about.

Depending on what works best for your brain, I like the read aloud suggestion above, that method seems to work for me; or if you have someone who would do it for you try to have them read it to you.


Otherwise, I stopped in to see if someone needed help regarding Reading, PA ...home of the famous hilltop Pagoda
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...odaReading.jpg

I used to read a chapter, absorb enough to get the general idea, then go back and mark up with a highlighter the significant sections, then write out the most pertinent information in long hand. A long process but it worked.

I just get bored as I am reading this stuff. I researched online, and they say skim the chapter before you read...i cant even make it past skimming. It definitely takes a lot of strength to sit down and read some bullshit lol. yeah ive ripped through fiction in days as well, but my God this CPA exam is turning out to be more daunting than I thought.

I've also found writing as I'm reading helps me with comprehension. That might also help reading speed if you're looking for things to write down. If it's for a test, are there practice tests you can get ahold of, and then look up the answers in your books as a method of studying? Then you're covering some of the material, at least.

But I agree that a lot of profs just cover the material in class, so the reading is superfluous. The only time that hasn't been the case is in smaller classes (<20) where we actually really do discuss the readings.

Hal might remember this method from junior high.
It still works for me.

I take a piece of paper. Fold it in half lengthwise forming two columns.

On the right-hand side I jot down any words for which I don't recall the exact definition. Turns out they're usually key terms. I leave enough space to fill in definitions as I go along. I also draw sketches or diagrams here.
On the left-hand side I write a one-sentence summary (in my own words) of each paragraph of reading.

I number the pages to keep them in order, and make note of the chapter and section it corresponds with in the text. At the end of each chapter, I copy my summary column. If something doesn't make sense, I go back to that portion of the text and re-read, filling in details in my notes to clarify.

At the end of this procedure, I know the book well. I am able to recall which chapter I need to reference and can turn to it quickly. When I go back to study, I don't study my notes. Instead, I go back to the book - but I'm able to key in on the key phrases easily. I recall the active experience of taking notes and what I felt was important. It works for me.