Imagine if you could actually get through reading your study material or official papers quickly with comprehension and some recall value; that is what a speed reading course aims at achieving. Most often, the only way people get through their volumes of paperwork is through skipping paragraphs in order to 'finish reading' something in a record time. It could be a novel or an official manuscript.

Today, the emphasis on time has become more pronounced. And so while time has contracted, work has expanded. The only way to keep up is to work through increased capacity - in short through going over all your reading material in double quick time.

Lessons to Learn From a Speed Reading Course:

• Familiarity of content helps you read faster. You can widen your mental horizon by reading extensively; it will cover your blind spots and channel your intellect.

• Scan the document in question once and get a brief idea of what it contains. This will ensure that you anticipate what you are about to read; the increased understanding will ensure a swift perusal.

• Part of the reason people read slowly is that there are mental blocks that prevent understanding. The mind tends to wander at such times. If you leave your mind open to whatever kind of matter you read, it will aid in absorbing the points better. To help yourself focus, use a pen or your finger to direct your mind.

• There is no substitute for practice. Practice makes perfect. You cannot expect to excel without the correct training methods and persistent exercise.

• Speed reading is not a gift accessible only to a blessed few. We all have the mental faculties required to read fast. It is a matter of tapping that part of your brain to harness your potential.

• It is always beneficial to improve vocabulary. You have ideas only when you have vocabulary. With a good vocabulary you can read without interruptions. If you are constantly stumbling over the meaning of words, you are losing out on the theme of your reading material. This slows you down considerably.

• It is not important to read every word. Read paragraphs and grasp ideas rather than words.

Speed Reading Course - Realistic Expectations:

• There are no shortcuts to success. You should not expect to suddenly cover 700 words a minute if you are currently doing only 250. Work on your reading slowly and steadily. Allow yourself to enjoy the small improvements in your reading speed.

• There is no age for learning. While it is true that the younger you are, the more quickly you learn - the developmental phase is ideal for learning - if you have the interest and motivation you can benefit from these courses.

Any line of work demands that you be quick on the uptake - and reading is an essential part of most professions. So don't think twice before you enroll into a speed reading course.