Being able to type fast can come with many advantages for students. For instance, it can help them be more efficient in note-taking and allow them to be more efficient when it comes to working on term papers.
So, in this article, we will offer some insight into improving typing speed. We have also included a few resources that students can use in order to improve their typing as well as writing skills.
Type a Lot
Perhaps the easiest way to improve your typing skills is by typing a lot. The more you write on your computer, you will notice that your speed is naturally increasing. In fact, you might not even have to try any tips and tricks to acquire speed this way.
This is because, like anything else, typing uses muscle memory. The more you exercise this action, the stronger and more efficient you will be. This is why it’s important to set aside daily typing time. You might be thinking you usually opt for “write my research paper for me” services to help with essays. However, you can still use the resources from these platforms to practice writing. It is best to incorporate a writing session into your routine and make it a habit.
Practice Touch Typing
Touch typing is built on the concept that each finger has a dedicated area on the keyboard. This allows you to type faster and more efficiently, utilizing your muscles. Learning touch typing can be difficult at first; however, over time, your muscles will learn the location of different keys, and you will be able to handle typing effortlessly.
It is virtually impossible to explain all the facets of touch typing in this article. But students can find YouTube videos that can assist them in understanding how it works, which can help them write papers quickly.
Take Typing Masterclasses
“There is a masterclass for typing?”. Well, you might not be the first one to think that. Fortunately, there are indeed a number of online courses that help students to pick up their typing pace. These can be found on Masterclass, Udemy, and Skillshare platforms.
Based on our research, the majority of these programs focus on touch typing and can help you achieve a speed of 90 words per minute. Another advantage to joining these courses is that you will get access to a variety of practice materials as well as full support from experts.
Typing Fast vs. Accuracy
Typing fast and typing with accuracy are two different things. You might be able to swiftly move your finger across the keyboard. However, in order to be a master of typing, you will also need to focus on accuracy.
Similarly, increased speed can also lead to sloppy typing errors. To avoid this trap, you will also need to practice accuracy exercises along with typing exercises. Speed can improve with routine; however, you will need to be more diligent to increase accuracy.
Practice Good Posture
If you are aiming to type continuously for a few hours, then you also need to make sure that you maintain good posture. Using the right type of furniture can significantly impact how you sit and, consequently, how conveniently you type. Moreover, if you don’t practice good posture, you might even end up facing health issues.
Here are some tips to follow when typing continuously for hours:
- Ensure that you take regular breaks
- Do finger exercises during the break
- Try to keep your shoulders relaxed and your spine straight
- Avoiding resting wrists on the desks
Similarly, you should also ensure that there is sufficient lighting, so you don’t have to stress your eyes. You should be able to see the keys without squinting and adjust the brightness of the computer screen to a comfortable level – neither too bright nor dull.
Don’t Look at the Hands
Look at any resource for touch typing, and they will tell you that it’s important to learn to type without looking at the keys. If you keep looking at your keyboard, then you will not only lose time but can also hinder your thinking process.
Naturally, the speed might reduce when you begin to practice this. However, learning to touch type can help you speed up the process.
Free Typing Practice Websites
Thanks to the internet, dozens of websites now allow you to practice fast typing. You might be wondering how it’s different from typing on a word processor. It actually is.
Such writing software comes with a few useful tools. They give you an array of words to copy, so you don’t have to think at the time of writing. Instead, the focus here is on achieving speed. Similarly, the tool will also calculate the number of words you write per minute and the accuracy rate.
This can help you better understand which aspects you need to improve and what your strengths are.
Try Different Keyboards
Depending on where you’re from, the keyboard format might also vary. For instance, in the US and many countries, the default keyboard setup is ‘QWERTY.’ On the other hand, many European countries, such as France, use the ‘AZERTY’ format.
The length and width of the keyboard will also impact how you move your fingers. For instance, if you have a large keyboard and small hands, then you might find it challenging to practice touch typing. A smaller keyboard might be more suitable for those with small hands – and vice versa.
Try Typing Games
To make things interesting, you can also try websites that have integrated gamification into typing. These are similar to the ‘typing websites’ discussed above, but there would also be other features such as challenges and competitions.
These websites can be a great way to keep things interesting and practice typing while taking a break from writing papers. The website Typing Cat is a great example of this – as it combines typing courses and games and even offers free tests to calculate your speed.
Conclusion – Don’t Rush the Process
As with everything else, typing faster is a skill that has to be acquired. This means that you will need to allocate sufficient time to allow your brain to pick up his skill. Focus on typing accurately and typing every day – eventually, the speed will pick up as you process.
