Slow iCloud syncing despite fast internet connection on MacBook Air

I had to reinstall my Mac recently so I'm now restoring all my files from iCloud. I have a really fast internet connection but the sync is taking forever - I don't even have that many files in my Documents directory to sync! There's one folder that has about 30 files in it which I really need access to. I pressed the download now button and it's been going for 24 hours...this is insane. I pay for the 2TB storage so that I can backup my data and have access when I need it. The sync speed really needs to be improved to make this useful. On my other computer I have google drive which is syncing stuff at lightning speeds. To make matters worse there's no indication about how long it will take to download the files (beyond a broad progress number in finder, which keeps changing....), so I'm just sitting here twiddling my thumbs hoping it will eventually work out.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: iCloud Syncing