HOW TO MASTER RAPID READING SKILLS?

Doing things effectively yet quickly has become a mandate in this world where time is less and work is more. Thus, the acquisition of rapid reading skills become important for students as it helps them to study more effectively in lesser time and also increases their power to assimilate and concentrate.

So what exactly is rapid reading?
Reading that is faster than a person's normal rate of reading, in other words, reading that is accelerated is called rapid reading. Rapid reading is often used for specific purposes, as to locate essential information only, to get an overview of text, etc.

Rapid reading skills enable you to improve:
• Your reading ability so that you can find the information you need quickly and easily
• The skills for making notes so that the notes you make are clear, easy to understand and quick to review
• Your revision techniques so that you can retain information in your mind

The key insight
The most significant secret of rapid reading is to know what information you want from a particular chapter before you start reading it. If you want only an outline of what the chapter consists of, then you can skim through the chapter quickly by running your eyes through the chapter with extreme concentration and extract only the essential facts. If you need to understand and assimilate the chapter in detail then you must read it slowly enough to absorb all nuances and concepts well and yet not too slowly as that will give space to your mind to wander.

Tips for rapid reading
Here are some helpful tips and tricks that will enable you to master rapid reading skills:

Increase the number of words to be read in one go
Yes! Expanding the number of words that you read at a time will take a conscious effort from your end but it will help you in achieving the larger goal. With practice, you will be able to read faster. Holding the text a little further from your eyes also significantly helps in increasing the number of words in each block. The more words you can read in each block, the faster you will read!

Reducing fixation time
The minimum length of time needed to read each block is probably only a quarter of a second. But most of us, when reading at peace or luxuriously, take much longer. By pushing yourself to reduce the time you take to read one block, you will get better at picking up information quickly. Again, this will largely improve with practice and confidence.

Skip obstacles and come back to them later
While reading a passage, if you don’t get a word’s meaning, do not get stuck on it. Keep a note book and keep writing the words you don’t understand in it or simply underline the words on the text itself. Then go back later after reading the material once and find out the meaning of these terms. These are words whose meanings you should know so that the material makes sense to you so don’t skip it either.

Do not try to pronounce each word – whether loudly or in your head
This habit of pronouncing each word internally in our head or loudly slows the process of reading. So do not indulge in it. Rather, just let your eyes glide on the sentences block by block and you will find yourself reading faster and with greater concentration.

Avoid the tendency to skip back
Most of us are lured towards re-reading or skipping back to previous lines. To reduce the number of times that your eyes skip back to a previous sentence, run a pointer along the line as you read. This could be a finger, or a pen or pencil. Your eyes will follow the tip of your pointer, smoothing the flow of your reading. The speed at which you read using this method will largely depend on the speed at which your hand guides the pointer.

The idea is to read fast but also to gather enough relevant information from the text. So master the trick of reading fast and you will find yourself with so much more extra time and yet ready for those exams.
All the best!

TIPS FOR SMART BOOK SHOPPING

As a student, it is important for you to buy relevant study material using the limited financial resources that you have. Here are some tips that will help you buy the right books always and buy more with less.

1. Form a book pool
You don’t have to add each book that you may need currently to your lifetime book collection. So why itch to own a copy? Form a book pool with some friends and buy books collectively. Keep them till you need them and then sell them off to buy more relevant books. This will not only save money but also ensure that you don’t collect books you don’t require later.

2. Be sure of what you want
Have clarity on what you want the book to cover before you walk into a bookstore. Compare the contents of a few books to figure which one covers the relevant topics better before making the final decision.

3. Don’t base your buying decision on the index/content page alone
Though it’s fair to derive information on what the book comprises from the contents/index page, you still need to turn pages over to figure out how these content heads have been covered. Check for understandability of language, clarity of content, flow, depth required and so on. You can go through 4-5 topics at random to arrive at a decision.

4. Always be open to bargains
Ask your seniors if they have the books you are looking for. You might get a second hand copy from them at a great price. Also, always enquire at the bookstore for a second hand copy of the book you want, in usable condition. You anyway will want the book for a year or a semester so it’s cool to grab a second hand copy and invest the saved money in another book.

5. Ask your instructors for guidance on what to buy
Teachers tend to know some of the best reference books on their subjects. So ask them for their referrals. If you have come across a book that you think is better than one they have recommended, do mention the name and the details to them for a second opinion. After all, they will be the one who will check your answer sheets so might as well study from the books they approve of.

ETIQUETTE FOR GROUP DISCUSSIONS

Almost all post graduation colleges and even some graduation colleges have group discussions as an essential part of their admission process. Group Discussions enables the jury to judge the student’s ability to think, communicate, solve problems and react to a particular situation or a subject. It is here that they will judge how well you can interact with your peers and how well you dodge an argument or take to opposition. Thus, it’s important to be aware of the unwritten rules of group discussions to court success.

Tips for success in group discussions
Keep these dos and don’ts in mind and you are unlikely to go wrong.

Speak enough and effectively
First, there is nothing wrong with being quiet. At the same time, you don't want to be too quiet. Speaking is important for being noticed but speaking too much is not recommended. It is important to make sure the statements you make are concise and to the point so think before you shoot out your words. You don't want to give the wrong impression by making statements that are not clear and you don’t want to reflect thoughts contrary to your belief either. So be careful about what and how much you speak.

Do not be over assertive or disrespectful
Never ridicule the comments or ideas of others. If you disagree with a statement made by another member, voice your disagreement in mature, respectful way. Instead of saying "that doesn't make any sense," say "I don't know if I agree. Could you elaborate?" This will not be as offensive as the other statement. On the other hand, if you do not allow others to speak or cut them down incessantly or speak rudely or sarcastically, you are likely to be perceived as disrespectful and arrogant and no one wants disrespectful and arrogant students in their college.

Listen before you react
In a group discussion, listening to the others views and assimilating what they have to say is as important as speaking out. If you speak out something without understanding the other person’s views, you are bound to come across as foolish and stupid. So listen carefully to where the discussion is going and then react.

Don’t speak for the heck of it
Speaking more is not considered smart but is looked at as attention gathering technique. You will be appreciated more for speaking sense rather then speaking more. So stay away from the habit of speaking for the heck of it.

Avoid conflict statements
Avoiding conflict in a group discussion is crucially important. Once a conflict has started, it is very difficult to control it. Everyone is different and will have strong beliefs about a topic that may differ from others. That does not mean you go all out and bash others for their different views. Never tell a member of the group that they are wrong. Instead, disagree with them by using phrases such as "it may be better to...." or "may be we should do it this way?" You are there to make it through the admission process and not to change a person’s thinking style. So stick to your goals!

Tackle trouble with tact
If someone is trying to argue with you just to pull you down, dismiss the argument with a smile and a firm statement. Say something like, “I respect you for your view but don’t really adhere to it” or something like, “I like the passion with which you believe in your views but I would still like to stick to my opinion. Maybe we both are right.” The idea is to try and end an argument politely so as not to make it a one to one verbal bashing match.Always remember be precise, be comprehensive, be focused on the issue and you will be able to hit the nail.

WHEN YOUR GRADES START FALLING...

It’s the end of the academic year and you’ve noticed that your performance in class hasn’t been that good. Your grades have fallen and you need to pull up your socks to make sure you do well this year. Here is a list of things you need to pay attention to:

Background
What are the subjects your scores are low in? Is it the languages or science? While the sciences always require a lot more understanding and constant practice from the syllabus itself ; the languages would require you to do a lot of reading and writing outside of what is being taught to you in class.

Why are your grades falling?
Are you not studying enough, or finding it hard to comprehend and grasp concepts? Many a times, most students end up having a block towards one subject that they don’t fare too well in. At times like this, you just need to work on getting rid of that block. Once that's done, you'll find that you probably like the paper/subject.

Shortcomings
What are the others doing that you aren't? Take a look around and talk to your classmates. Are they doing extra reading or extra practice? Are they going for tuition lessons that you aren’t aware of? Or are there some lessons that you've missed out on in the previous classes that are making learning a tad bit difficult for you to comprehend what's being taught now?

Ask for help
If you're having trouble grasping, don't be ashamed to ask for help. If you're in a class filled with people, you're probably not the only one who has a doubt or a difficulty. So stand up and ask for clarifications; the teacher is there to assist you.

Be perseverant
The only way that you can make your way back to the top is by ensuring that you practice and persevere over time. It’s not good enough to redo your sums for a week, or read that extra lesson for just a month. Remember practice makes perfect so do it over and over again till you get it right. .

TOP 5 TIPS ON TAKING LECTURE NOTES EFFECTIVELY

Learning how to take notes effectively during classes and lectures is a college student’s first step to making the transition from school to college easier. Once you master the art of taking notes, preparing for exams will become considerably less taxing and significantly more enjoyable.

1. Come prepared to class

Work with a three-ring binder instead of a spiral or bound book. It’s easier to remove pages for reviewing.

Bring highlighters to class. Professors will typically make comments like, "this is an important concept" or "make sure you understand this". These are important hints that this content will more than likely be on an exam and highlighting them will remind you of this later.


2. Improve your listening skills


Make a conscious effort to pay attention.

Try not to zone out when a lecture takes an unexpected detour, for instance, if a student asks a question you aren't particularly interested in. You may take this opportunity to tune out, but before you know it, the lecture gets back on track, and you’ve missed important information that should have been noted.


3. Organize your material for easy reference

Start each new lecture on a new page; date and number each page for easy reference later.

Write on one side of the paper only. You can set them out side-by-side for easier reviewing when studying for an exam.

Leave blank spaces as this will allow you to add comments or questions later.

Develop a system of abbreviations and symbols you can use wherever possible.

Mark or underline all unfamiliar words or concepts. This will remind you to look them up later.


4. Pay close attention to content

Knowing precisely what and how much to note down is sometimes difficult. Rely on some of the following tips for what to include in your notes.

Always include details, facts, or explanations that expand or explain the main points that are mentioned. Don't forget to include examples.

Make a note of definitions, word for word.

Jot down enumerations or lists of things that are discussed.


5. Go over and edit your notes

Reviewing and editing class notes is the most important part of note taking.

It is extremely important to review your notes within 24 hours while the concepts are still fresh in your memory.

Edit words and phrases that are illegible or don't make sense and write out abbreviated form for more clarity.

Note anything you don't understand by underlining or highlighting it to remind you to get a clarification from the professor.

Consider rewriting or typing up your notes.

ART OF QUESTIONING- MASTER IT!

You are one of the most popular faces in class, not because you are funny or have great note taking abilities but because you ask the most number of questions. In fact, you might not know this but some of your classmates could recognize you by simply looking at your arm. Although, being inquisitive is not a bad quality, but it is important to ask the right questions so as not to irritate your instructor and others in the class and also to maximize learning. Here are a few tips for honing your questioning skills:

1. Be precise

A question needs to be crisp and to-the-point. It doesn’t need to have a beginning, middle and an end. If you beat around the bush, chances are your professors won’t be sure which part of the chapter you haven’t understood, or need an explanation for.

2. Be clear about what you wish to know

It can be a question that’s open and debatable, or one that’s closed and factual. The former kind would make for wide interpretation and opinionated answers which express a certain point of view. The latter are specific and accurate. So be clear about what you wish to know and frame your question accordingly.

3. Ask questions relevant to context

This means that if you have a doubt regarding a particular subject; clarify it when it is being discussed. Because many times, questions open up newer avenues and doubts about a subject, so addressing these would benefit the whole class.

4. Do not hesitate to contact your teacher post the class

If you’re feeling too uncomfortable to ask a question in front of your classmates, wait till the session is over and approach your professor. This will probably put you more at ease and help you listen, register, raise doubts and converse better with your teacher. One on one interactions are always much better than one to many.

5. Compile your questions

Doubts may crop up at any time; when you’re studying, reading or copying notes. Note these down on a piece of paper so that you get them clarified in class without forgetting. This is to make sure that you don’t have any unanswered questions when the exam approaches.

STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE

Being a good student doesn't mean you have to drop all social activities and dive into your books. It's possible to have a healthy social life while earning good grades. Balance is the key. Here’s how you can go about doing so:

1. Decide for yourself at the start of the term that you won't let schoolwork sweep you away. It's important to have this resolve as a foundation.

2. Plot out your weekly schedule on a grid. Chances are, you'll have small gaps between classes during the week, and longer stretches of free time on the weekends. If you can manage to fit bits of schoolwork in these gaps that will leave effectively leave the weekend free and at your convenience.

3. Set aside at least one large chunk of time each week for free time - maybe all of Saturday, for instance.

4. Make sure that every time you find yourself in one of those between-class gaps, you use the time efficiently: Read a few pages, run some quick errands, spell-check your paper.

5. Keep in mind the law of diminishing returns. Past a certain point, studying harder will yield little. You're better off using that time to hang out with friends. Protect both your free time and your school time religiously. If you start to infringe on either, it's a long, slippery slope downward.

6. Encourage your friends to follow a similar plan, so you can co-ordinate your free time with theirs.

7. Whenever possible, find social activities that take you off campus and away from your schoolwork.


ARE YOU ALWAYS LATE FOR SCHOOL?

Are you perennially late for school? Do mornings bring nightmares to you? You can't seem to get to school without forgetting something at home? Mornings don't have to be like that. Some of us simply don't DO mornings well. Here are a few tips on getting around the morning fight.

1. Get enough sleep and make it a point to sleep for eight hours every night.
2. Skipping breakfast should not be looked upon as a time saver. 
3. Let’s not forget the all important alarm clock. Make sure it works or better still have someone wake you up in the morning. 
4. It would do you a world of good if you didn’t have to hunt for your books or school bag in the morning. Take care to see that you have all the books required for the next day and your bag is at a convenient place. Keep it there everyday. 
5. Make sure your uniform doesn’t spring any surprises in the morning (like missing buttons, dirty shoes, and smelly socks). Arrange your school wear the night before. 
6. Finally the most important part of school… homework. Finish all your homework the night before. Don't leave it for the next day.