Sleeping and Slow Reading?

Question

I'm an English major at a liberal arts school - so you can imagine that I have A LOT of reading to do for my studies. Except I have two problems. The first and most debilitating one is that I read very slowly... about 10+ pages an hour. I've been trying to improve this for years, and its mostly in part because I read every word, as carefully and as attentively as if I were reading out loud in my head. Needless to say I dont get very much done and I need to be prepared to set aside many hours if I plan to. The other problem is that reading makes me sleepy, so I tend to fall asleep most times that I try to sit down and get my work done. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to read faster and/or how to stay awake! I need some help, cause I have tons of reading, and I'm very behind! thank you!

Answer 1

Oh, do I ever hear you. I'm 1 year away from finishing a PhD and I have the very same problem (and have had it since high school), so you see, it doesn't have to hold you back from pursuing your education!

When I have to read a text (reading for pleasure sometimes doesn't make me as sleepy) I learned this trick from a professor: Read the table of contents, introduction, and conclusion FIRST to get a sense of the direction of the author's arguments and ideas. When you begin a chapter, do the same thing: scan it first for its basic structure, headings, intro and conclusion. This will help you know where the argument is going and you won't get as bogged down and start getting sleepy. The key is to be engaged with the text, and alert.

Take notes -- don't just absorb passively. This keeps your body moving a little. Make out a list of things you have to read and check them off as you do them so you feel accomplished, even if it's breaking it down by chapters.

Change of scenery: read at the library. Read in a different room. Read outside if the weather's good.

PLAN to read a few pages or a small section at a time and get up and walk around in between sections, do pushups and crunches, stretch etc. Don't go too far away or you might get distracted by a family member, housemate, tv or something else. Keep a full glass or bottle of cold water by your side to help you stay awake. Some people here will suggest coffee, caffeine pills, or pop; I'm going to refrain from that suggestion because 1) I don't use them myself and 2) I want to give you an answer that puts YOU in control, not the substance.

Try to work during the time that you find yourself least sleepy (if there is such a time).

Use rewards! Tell yourself after a chapter you can take a little walk outside, play 1 game of Windows pinball, whatever.

Enlist help. I get my officemate to poke me if she sees me sleeping. If I do decide to take a little nap in the lounge I ask her to come wake me in a half hour or so.

Make sure your sleep quality at night is good and adequate in length. Make your bedroom a really inviting place to sleep: nice bedding, lighting, neat and tidy. If you can, separate your work and sleep spaces (are you in a residence where this is impossible?). Maybe you need a lot of sleep, more than your friends -- 8, 9, 10 hours a night... if it helps you stay awake during the day, get that sleep at night!

Watch what you are eating: some foods will make you sleepy. For me, if I eat a big meal high in carbs and fat before I try to study, I am a goner. Try foods like yogourt, fruits and vegetables, etc.

Keep some cut veggies at your side to munch on while you work.

Work out regularly! It'll help you sleep better at night and just gets your body in better working order.

I'm really interested in the answers to these questions because I'm just the same way. I wish you the very best of luck. you can do it!

Answer 2

There are actually courses you can take on speed reading - check with the English Department at your school or with the library if there are any they know of.
As far as falling asleep, try to do more of your reading soon after waking up when you feel most refreshed. Sit somewhere that gives you the sense of a "working environment" like at a desk or table rather than on your bed or sofa where you may get too comfortable. If this doesn't work, go to the library and sit at one of the desks there, you're probably less likely to let yourself fall asleep in public and won't have the distractions of home. Where ever you are, if you feel sleepy, take a quick break to get up and move around for a few minutes to re-energize.

Answer 3

Read somewhere where there are other people reading. Like a library or something. This should put you in the mood to read, and will most likely not cause you to feel like falling asleep. As for reading faster...I'm not sure. Good luck!