My second semester at the university, I wished for Edgar Cayce’s ability to sleep on a book and download it. (Ever have more pages to read than hours in the day?) Luckly a classmate decided to do a workshop on “How to Speed Read” after taking pity on us ignorant souls.

Heck, I didn’t know you could learn how to speed read (thought it was one of those X-Man like deals you had to be born with).  After the workshop, I became a fanatic. Hunted down whatever I could find at the library, bookstore, and online. Let me summarize for you…

3 QUICK TIPS TO SPEED READING

1. Use a pointer (like your finger) to follow along while you’re reading.

2. Quickly flip through the whole book page by page (before reading it).

3. Practice not “saying” the words (this is what really slows you down).

Evelyn Wood, the original gangsta of speed reading, and her mad skills still live on. Yeah, I was hooked before running into her techniques, but now it’s a straight up reading addiction.

I created the above video to help you get started. Who knows, you may have to join Readers Anonymous.

Listen, as part of a study people were given IQ tests. Then took the test again…this time with a distraction.

One group was given everyday distractions. Distractions you might find while studying…phone,
text messages, and so on.

The other group was given marijuana.

They both did terrible the second test but…

Between multitaskers and pot smokers, guess who did worse on the second test? The multi-taskers.

Study Tip: Stop multitasking. Laser focus.

First, take a look at the skills that you already have.

It took you years to develop the skill to walk.

Why has that skill stuck around?

Does using that skill everyday matter when it comes to your remembering it?

If you don’t use it, you lose it. Using a skill repeatedly makes it easier and easier to remember. When you stop using it, you lose it.

Some skills are easier to get back than others.

If it’s been years since you rode a bike, you might be shaky at first. After a ride around the block you get most of the basics back.

Other skills are a lot tougher to get back. (Know anyone who’s taken a foreign language class?)

-Mr. A

The NBDE from what I understand is an exam dentists have to take. It has over 400 multiple choice questions and isn’t cheep to take ($260).

This test seems similar to many of the tests professionals have to take in order to show they can memorize a bunch of stuff that don’t necessarily have to do with the day to day job of being a whatever (a dentist, a teacher, a lawyer, in insurance, in real estate, etc.)

Now I haven’t taken the NBDE, so please correct me if I’m wrong. But, I have studied for and passed many similar tests.

With a big test like the NBDE you want to be able to organize the information. Separate what you know and can easily spit out on the test from what you need to spend more time with.

A good way to do this is to complete the practice tests. This will point to you what you already know for the test (and what you don’t).

Work with what you know first (to build your confidence) then move on to what you don’t know.  When it comes to memorizing what you don’t know, this information will “stick” better to your mind thanks to your solidifying what you already know.

-Mr. A

How can i read research papers for a long time (say 2 hours)? I thought while reading i could focus as on computer i surf all the time, but this never happened.

Reading research papers for a long time can be a challenge.

You mentioned that you’re able to surf for awhile and hoped this same focus could be applied to your reading.

While many can surf on the internet for hours at a time, it’s important to look at some key differences between internet surfing and reading research papers.

Next time you’re on the internet, pay attention to how often your screen and your mouse stay still. You may find both are constantly moving.

Now compare this to a research paper you hold in your hand. Does it just sits there?

Also while you are reading on the internet, pay attention to the length of the articles. Internet articles are very similar to magazine articles as they usually deliver information in quick bursts. Pay attention to how often you are skimming versus slowly reading whole articles from start to finish.

Now compare this to a research paper you hold in your hand. Is it lengthy and boring in comparison?

So 2 quick tips to transfer your skills in internet surfing to your skills in reading research papers:

1. Use your finger on the paper as if it were a mouse on the computer screen. This helps bring more focus to what you are reading. You are also conditioned through your internet surfing to follow a pointer. Your finger can do just that.

2. Good research papers are well organized. They deliver information by building logic and reasoning through evidence to support a main idea. That main idea is clearly stated in the intro and conclusion of the paper. A good intro and conclusion is delivered in more of the magazine style you are used to from the internet. I suggest you carefully read these 2 sections first then skim the meat in the middle as you would lengthy internet articles. As key points pop up you can slow down and take them in.

-Mr. A

Studies have shown that up to 90% of your ability to learn is determined by your belief that you can (outside of any obvious physical handicaps – like brain missing).

Think about the things you “know” you can NOT learn. Way before you even try a mechanism in your brain has already shut off any possibility of you learning it.

Check it out…

Pay attention to your mind and body. Now pick one thing you cannot possibly learn. Hold that in your mind. Do you shut yourself off almost automatically?

Remember this feeling next time you feel completely blocked off from taking in information for your next exam. Then ask yourself, “How can I believe in myself more so I can study this?”
-Mr. A

The theory is that information has to move from short term memory to long term memory before it can be synthesized.

Kinda like if you have to memorize someone’s name. If it’s just in short term memory you’ll lose it and might feel stupid if you have to introduce the person you just met 10 seconds ago.

For each person this is different. And for each subject and situation this is different.

You might remember from Study Basics Day 1 I asked you to look at how you best study.

Well that’s a great first step in examining how you best memorize and synthesize information already.

Study Basics Day 2-4 narrows down what you have to study and has you look at what you have already memorized and synthesized (which is a missing step in most students study skill).

Study Basics Day 5 has some quick memorizing tips but I really want to go into more detail into creating long term skills you can use as a life long student.

I’m definitely going to have more on this subject. I’ll keep you updated.

-Mr. A

It’s funny because school tests you on how well you’ve studied…but rarely teaches you how to study.

That’s like making a dog do tricks that it’s never been taught then beating it when it screws up.

Study Tip: Have the right tools to succeed.