Medical Students Learn How to Read

Over a six-year period, courses in effective reading have been conducted for first-year students in the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. Approximately one-third (about 30 students) had reading rates below 300 words per minute. Classes for this group met for two periods a week for five weeks (first term) during which time emphasis was placed on improving reading rate and comprehension, skimming, scanning and the development of sound study habits. Although no formal research has been conducted on the results of these classes, students report better study habits, less anxiety about achievement, better recall of material, maintenance of comparable academic standing with less study time, and satisfaction in knowing how to increase reading speed after formal academic training.