As a college student, you’re constantly bombarded with assignments, essays, and projects that require you to type at lightning speed. You are expected to type not only fast but also accurately.
After all, what do you do when you have to write a 1,000-word essay in one night? You type fast.
Original: SourceWhether you are typing up a research paper or taking notes in class, being able to type quickly and accurately can make a world of difference.
So, if you’re wondering, “How can I increase my typing speed?” This post will give you some valuable tips and hacks on how to become a fast typist so you can get ahead of the game.
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What is a good typing speed for college?
The average typing speed for college is around 40 words per minute (wpm). So if you can type at this speed or faster, you should be able to keep up with most college-level work. Of course, the faster you can type, the better! So if you're looking to improve your typing speed, aim for 100 wpm or higher.
What is the average typing speed for a high school student?
The average typing speed for a high school student is around 30 words per minute. However, this figure can vary depending on factors like the student’s age, typing experience, and individual natural abilities. Some students may be able to type much faster than the average, while others may find it difficult to reach even this average goal.
1. Find a comfortable sitting spot
The first step to being able to type quickly is finding the best sitting spot where you can sit comfortably with a good posture and have easy access to your keyboard.
Find a chair that allows you to sit up straight with your feet flat on the ground. Once you are comfortable, you will be able to focus more on the task at hand rather than on your discomfort.
2. Position your hands appropriately
Another important factor is learning how to correctly position your hands and fingers on the keyboard when typing. If your hands are not positioned properly, it will slow down your typing speed because you’ll constantly have to readjust them.
Instead, place your hands on the keyboard so that your fingers are resting on the home row keys (A-S-D-F for the left hand and J-K-L-; for the right hand).
Keep your hand relaxed and your fingers slightly curved on the keyboard. From there, you can touch type without having to look at the keyboard, which will help you increase your speed.
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3. Learn to use all fingers correctly
When most people start typing, they only use two or three fingers. However, if you want to increase your speed, it’s important to learn how to use all of your fingers when typing.
This means using both your left and right hands equally and utilizing all the fingers on each hand rather than just a few ‘favorite’ fingers.
Using all fingers to type may seem difficult at first, but with some practice, it will become second nature and help you boost your speed significantly when writing your essays or taking lecture notes.
4. Have a proper posture
In addition to finding a comfortable spot and correct positioning of the hands, learn to maintain a proper posture when typing. This means keeping your back straight, and your shoulders relaxed. Ensure your feet rest flat on the floor or a footrest, and keep your elbows close to your sides.
It’s also important not to hunch over the keyboard as this can cause strain on your wrists and arms. Typing with a good posture will reduce any strain on your body and allow you to type more quickly and efficiently.
5. Familiarize yourself with the keyboard
To increase your typing speed, take some time to learn where all the keys are located on the keyboard. Understand the function of every key on the keyboard and the shortcuts that can help you become a faster typist.
Also, try to create a visual image of the keyboard in your mind so you can always refer to it when typing. This way, you won’t constantly have to look down at the keyboard to confirm where the keys are located when typing.
Additionally, it will be helpful to memorize common vital sequences such as “th” or “ing” so that you can type them without having to think too much about their positioning.
Being familiar with the keyboard layout, you will be able to save time by not having to confirm letters and numbers as you type, which will help increase your typing speed significantly.
6. Use a timer or stopwatch to practice
Another typing speed hack is to time yourself when practice typing. You can do so by setting a timer or a stopwatch. This tip is beneficial if you find yourself getting bored while practicing typing.
Set your timer for 5 minutes and see how many words you can type in that period. Then, try to beat your previous score. Not only will this make the practice more fun, but it will also help you type faster in the long run.
Setting a timer will help you see how fast you can type and where to improve to become even faster.
7. Keep your eyes on the screen
While it may be tempting to take quick glances at your hands on the keyboard while you’re typing, this will only slow you down in the long run. Instead, keep your eyes glued to the screen so you can more easily find the keys you need.
Though you may make errors at the beginning, your accuracy will improve with your speed as you get more familiar with the touch-typing technique (typing with your eyes on the screen).
Focusing on the screen may seem like a no-brainer, but many people find themselves looking down at the keyboard when typing, which slows them down considerably. With more practice, this trick gets easier to hack, and you’ll soon start typing much faster with time.
8. Take online typing tests
There are many websites that offer free online typing tests. These can be a great way to see your strengths and weaknesses and track your progress over time.
Some sites that offer free online typing tests that you can take as a beginner include: typing.com, livechat.com, and typing test.com. You can start by sparing 10 to 20 minutes daily on an online typing test until your typing speed gets to where you want it to be.
9. Use a touch typing software
If you want to get serious about increasing your typing speed, consider investing in some touch typing software. This type of software is designed to help you learn proper finger placement and improve your typing speed and accuracy. In no time, you’ll be flying through those essays!
Some examples of touch typing software you can utilize are Typing Tutor, TypingClub, TypingMaster, and TypingCat.
Here’s an interesting video by Hallden on touch typing
10. Practice a lot
Like anything else, practice makes perfect when you want to increase your typing speed. So keep at it. The more you type, the more familiar you’ll become with the keyboard layout and the faster and more accurate you’ll become.
Try to find opportunities to practice whenever you can, whether it's typing up notes from class or working on an assignment for school. You can also find sample packages online that you can type over and over again until you see your typing skills and speed improve.
Focus on accuracy first so you can minimize the spelling, spacing, and punctuation errors you make when typing. Soon enough, those fingers will be flying across the keyboard without noticing, and you’ll be able to write and edit your essays fast.
How can I get to 100 wpm typing?
The best way to start is by taking a typing test online to see where you currently are and which areas need improvement. Once you identify your current speed, you can start improving by setting the timer to one minute and trying to type 100 words before the timer stops. If you don’t get to 100 words, keep resetting the timer and typing even faster until you get there.
Conclusion
Typing speed is an important skill you need to have as a college student. If you’re currently slow and take too long to type your essays, utilize the tips shared in this post to help you improve your typing speed faster.
Remember, the more you practice, the faster you will become. Also, remember to focus more on accuracy rather than speed when practicing so you don’t finish typing and then spend all the time editing. Increasing your typing speed will help you finish writing your essays and project faster and save you the hassle of last-minute rushes in college.
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Last edit at Mar 17 2023
Written by
Adela Belin
