Reading train - Improve your reading skills

How do you improve reading skills?

I was going through the table of contents in the book and saw something about learning disabilities. Well, I have a learning disability and when I am reading something, even if it is a textbook like a big US History book, I am just so overwhelmed! I'm taking US History online right now and just feel myself very overwhelmed with what's going on. It's so many words and information that it's quite to figure out how to draw a big picture of what's going on and what you're supposed to know. One other problem is once I start reading, I might know what I'm reading for a few minutes then just lose it, getting my mind on something else while just looking at the words.

Public Comments

1. History is like watching a movie... sequences of events, good guys, bad guys, plots and climaxes. Don't feel overwhelmed! As for reading, there is a 5-step process taught called SQ3R... its pretty effective. Survey- Pre-read. Look at pictures, captions, anything to give you an idea of what you will read. This should start getting questions in your head, or at least get you interested in what you will read. Question. Once you have a general idea, ask yourself questions to answer about what you will read. Usually in textbooks these questions will be there for you, like the objectives of the chapter. READ. Yeah, the 3rd step is to read. Pay special attention to the first paragraphs or the first sentences of the paragraphs. Those usually include the main ideas. Recite- Tell yourself what you just understood. Answer the questions you asked at first. Highlight or take notes on anything important you read. Review- After some time (a day or two), go back on your notes, highlights or questions/titles. Something that really works with history is retelling the story to someone.
2. Several times, there are periods when you think you are reading something but you are not. You seem to be sitting against a book for hours but don't get anything out of it. Best way to counter this is to ask yourself "What did I just read" every 2-3 pages. It makes whole lot of difference. This trick keeps you attentive and you do active reading. Besides, when I feel bored with a text and my comprehension is at risk, I start reading it actively for a page or two (as if I am reciting it to someone). Then, I get back to normal mode.