Reader's Question: How Can I Improve My Reading Comprehension?

It's time for another reader's question. Today, a reader named Aravind sent me the following question:

"Sir i generally read slowly and have a problem concentrating on my reading stuff academically and habitually provide me an inevitable suggestion to study first and grasp things with no time"

First of all, Aravind, you can call me Adam. Second, if I've understood you correctly, you want to read faster while keeping a high level of understanding (in other words, better reading comprehension). Your problem is clearly a lack of concentration when reading, and that can happen for a number of reasons, such as:

1. something more important being on your mind;
2. physical reasons, such as not eating properly or drinking a lot;
3. not finding the material interesting.

When something is on your mind

I'll assume you fall into the first or third group. If something very important has just happened in your life, it's more or less impossible not to get carried away by it.

The best thing you can do is deal with the problem or event in question, spending enough time on it until it's resolved. Once you believe you're finished with it, stop thinking about it!

Thoughts can't change the past or the future, so try to stop thinking about whatever bothers you so much, unless you still haven't dealt with it.

When the material doesn't interest you

That covers the first scenario. Now let's tackle the third. If you don't find the study material interesting, it's for one of two reasons:

• You've picked the wrong course.
• You've lost the motivation to keep studying.

If you're studying something you don't like, there's no point in continuing. If you can't see yourself as a doctor, for example, there's no point in pursuing that career. You may have to live with the profession you choose for a long time, so you'd better be sure you're OK with it!

"But I truly do want to follow this path. I've simply lost the motivation!" If this is you, which I believe it is, I recommend one simple thing. I promise it will make you a more motivated student. What is it?

Find the reasons

By reasons, I mean the reasons you picked your course in the first place. If you wanted to be an engineer, for example, ask yourself: why did I want that?

Can you picture how your life will look after your studies? Now hold on to that mental picture every time you study.

If you find the material boring, remind yourself of the reasons you chose it to begin with: "I'm going to love that job," "I'll be able to help children," "I'll make good money," or whatever your motivations are. If this doesn't make you more motivated, I don't know what will.

Thanks for taking the time to write, Aravind. I really appreciate it. If you also want to read faster, see these tips on how to read faster.