How does a person keep their mind from wandering while reading that causes very slow reading?

Answer 1

Find a book that you're soo interested in that you can't put the book down I like the answer above. But if there are words you don't understand in what you are studying, it can also cause such phenomena. If you don't understand any words in what you are reading, look them up in a good dictionary and then you should be able to concentrate better on what you are reading.

Answer 2

Distractions include anything that makes you stop reading and focus on something else. Here are some specific ways to minimize these:

• Visual distraction - moving objects or people, bright colors, overhead lights that flicker - anything that catches your eye is a distraction. Try changing seats to a more quiet location, or using your finger to move along the page to keep your eye focused on the words
• Auditory distraction - anything making noise will distract you from your visual reading. Again, try changing seats. If you can't find a quiet place, try an iPod or earplugs - remember that the iPod should be turned very low and on soothing instrumental music instead of distracting vocal and loud noises.
• Physical distraction - if you're not comfortable, it's distracting - try putting on a sweater if you're cold, moving to a cooler seat if you're hot, whatever works. If you get too comfy, though, you might be tempted to doze off! You have to find a happy medium.
• Mental distraction - if you're just not interested in what you're reading, your mind will come up with all sorts of other things to think about. The trick here is to set a timer. Read for 15-20 minutes (if you're really having trouble, drop that to 10 minutes), then get up and have a good stretch before sitting back down and getting to it again.

Answer 3

First, read somewhere where there are no distractions - shut off your TV, your cellphone, the internet, and sit somewhere quiet, perhaps with soft instrumental music in the background (loud music or music with heavy rhythm or words has been proven to be more distracting than soft instrumental).

Next, focus on what you're reading - ask yourself "Why am I reading this? What is my goal? What do I hope to learn from reading this material?" Keep this in mind while you're reading to remind yourself why it's important to concentrate.

Try running your finger along the words as you read to help you focus, or keep a piece of paper or bookmark underneath the line you're reading. This helps you keep your place and keep reading.