Discover The Secret To Fast Learning

Posted on 12. Jul, 2007 by in Accelerated Learning, productivity, Self Improvement, Study Skills (general)

Can you still recall the cartoon series featuring Wily Coyote and the Roadrunner?

“Fast” brings back the image of the Roadrunner zooming past the obstacles laid out by Wily Coyote.

Speed may allow you to arrive at your intended destination; but along the way, were you able to take note of the things that you may have missed while speeding along the fast lane? As in driving, zooming in fast does not give enough opportunity to see and enjoy the view. The same can be said about learning.

Much of what you learn can be acquired through reading. The simple activity of getting in a comfortable position and start reading a book of your choice opens a new world for you. Reading enables you to tap into the minds of great people.

The more you read, the more you know. In the hope of reading more books, some attempt fast track reading. It is believed that the faster you read, the more you cover.

Fast track reading may involve reading by phrases and concepts compared with the word-for-word method. Fast track reading enables you to cover more pages with the same rate. However, one limitation of this method of learning is that you tend to remember only a small portion of the main idea. There is danger that you might miss the important details in the book.

There is a solution for this. Few people are aware of this seldom-talked about technique in fast learning. This is based on the principle that the mind thinks in pictures.

Learning is accelerated when you “see” the whole idea of the write-up or book. Seeing “live pictures” of ideas and thoughts of the writer makes reading experiential and unforgettable. When you see nothing while reading, you learn nothing. Fast reading becomes useless.

This technique is called visualization. Visualization is vital to quick learning. Visualization in reading is like constructing a jigsaw puzzle where pieces are put together to form the whole picture. The whole thing not only “appears,” but actually “comes alive” before you. All of these happen in the realm of the mind.

Just going through the motions of fast reading can give you a hazy picture of the subject matter. But like a mist, this picture often quickly evaporates into thin air. Fast reading without visual pictures often informs but very seldom impresses.

Impressions last while information changes with time. Past information is easily forgotten in favor of new ones. Impressions change you, and these are stored permanently in the mind.

For learning to become effective, it requires brief pauses to be able to visualize and reflect. Effective learning is not about how fast you can finish reading a book. It is more on how you effectively comprehend the ideas brought forth by the writer.

Visual pictures provide lasting impressions. Go after ideas and how it will enrich people’s existence. Go for lasting impressions and insights that will mold you into better individuals.

2 Responses to “Discover The Secret To Fast Learning”

  1. Virginia

    03. Jan, 2008

    this is so true!!!
    whenever i’m in a hurry to finish reading the topics included for our exam (i’m already cramming *groan*) i end up only remembering bits of it and forget the rest of it, i never understand the whole of it, end result: either i barely pass the exam or failed it altogether. Compared to the topics i was able to read with enough time, i was able to imagine, visualize and delve in it… even though i was able to read it just once and way long before the exams, i was still able to recall a lot of it because i was able to understand the topic i was reading.

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  2. Chii

    08. Dec, 2011

    I tried the “speed reading” a couple of times, and to do this successfully you must learn how to stop the ‘Sub-Vocalization'(the habit of pronouncing each word in your head as you read it.) You can also hear that voice inside your head right? Haha, that voice is pronouncing what you read word by word. So . . . I tried to turn off this voice inside my head. . . and. . . its still there. This voice is living inside my head forever. And the crazy thing is, I can stop this sub-vocalization if I DON’T BREATH WHILE READING. Hahaha. 😀

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