Read Faster and Remember More: Simple Tricks You Can Use

Infodemic is an overwhelming quantity of information, almost all of it online. Reading books in this day and age must still be given the respect that it deserves. Reading books to know the content is one thing and reading for cognitive, enriching and imaginative purposes is an entirely different idea. However, the advantages of reading books can only be enjoyed if and only if there is a clear plan in place on how to read a book and appropriate reading strategies are adopted.

1. Set Clear Goals

Going on a reading expedition without having without having first set objectives is a waste of time. You interested in this for fun, for knowledge or for expanding worldview? Reading for enjoyment means picking up books that do not require subjecting your mind to stress. Underlying such reading is a contemplation with characters, a storyline or even themes, and this is done to one’s pleasure. Such a form of reading allows one to lay back of the year’s pressures of work and many engagements and is very healthy as it gives a break from the mind for a little while and releases stress.

The latter includes however also a specific reading of texts, qualitative treatment of texts where books that belong to certain subject, skills or area of interest are chosen. Such reading is directed to the goals that are much closer and aims at the acquisition of new data, broadening knowledge already possessed or improving skills in a particular subject area. When one is engaged in reading for purposes of gaining specific knowledge or skill in something, the source should also be curious and expect the comprehension of some information that’s complex i.e. ideas, theories or practices.

2. Skim and Scan

Efficient readers are capable of smoothing out their movements over the reading material so as to capture the main idea of the text. They start at the table of contents and go along to the chapter headings in order to check the overall picture of the book, its skeleton and most important ideas. This primary step helps the readers to comprehend the arrangement of the book and its parts, the most important ones as well as predict how the ideas will be distributed. This way, the audience is motivated to the upcoming content and it makes processing and even remembering the information easier.

Next, effective readers scan the material and key ideas and details. In this step, they look out for special features of the text, especially elevated or slanted types, which often signal important points or principles. Also, effective readers tend to scan for pictures, charts, or other forms of graphs/diagrams as they add value and help in understanding more. It is often easier to understand image than words and therefore images help complete the act of reading.

Additionally, effective readers can also differentiate between the relevant information and the irrelevant information when scanning through. They strive to get the central ideas and key points instead of unnecessary information which may be irrelevant in aiding their comprehension of the reading material. As a result, this way of reading enables readers to take in the vital pieces of information within the shortest time possible, thus giving room for efficiency in the use of time and mental resources.

3. Active Reading 

Though reading is considered a basic skill, the approach that active reading incorporates transforms it from simple passive reading to an extremely constructive and brain racking exercise. Active readers cannot only take in what the text says but also engage with it fully by thinking, questioning, analysing and synthesising information as they read on. This is beneficial as it also promotes understanding while developing higher order thinking about the ideas being read how they relate to the other concepts in the field.

Moreover, when one is reading, it is encouraged that one is asking questions to the material. These questions can be very simple, which aim finding out the main point, objective of a section et cetera or above the surface more advanced type of questions, which interrogate the notions. Thinking of such a question to the text enhances oneself with active content such as restlessness and shallower such that encouraging oneself to the depths of the text.

Also, one more technique that could work is attempting to relate the information provided in the text to one’s own life, experiences, or other readings. Contrasting or comparing can help place the information into context and relate it to situations in the real world most likely aiding understanding as well as concrete memory. Moreover, when oneself learns new information and connects it to the knowledge already available in their head, it helps integrate the knowledge and creates many associations which makes understanding that particular topic better.

Writing notes in the margins or on an extra piece of paper serves as a good practice for saving one’s ideas and remarks, and their important parts from the text. These notes reflect your interaction with the content and they may be very helpful when revisiting the material. These may also assist categorizing particular sections of the book and marking those that have been cut off for further development or clarification.

4. Take Care of Your Time

Reading is an activity that consists mainly of a time demanding effort and concentration. In order to really appreciate a book, it is paramount to transform the surroundings to one that upholds concentration. Seek a quiet, comfortable relaxing place to engross oneself in the reading materials found within the pages without any distractions. This might be a corner in the house, a certain section in the library that is not crowded or even an open space that allows one to appreciate the enjoyment of nature.

Most importantly, you have to designate and earmark certain time frames for reading in order for it to form a part of the daily activities. It could be a few minutes of reading while in a bus or train in the course of their commute, an hour of quiet time before sleeping, or a time slot saved at some point of the day that is reading hours. Having such a schedule makes it easy to prioritize the activity and makes it possible to allocating undivided attention towards it. By having a reading culture, one is able to enjoy the advantages of engaging in an intellectual exercise frequently and acquiring new knowledge for a long period of time.

It is also necessary to avoid problem whenever you have set aside time for reading. Switch off all mobile phone ringing or vibrations, and silence all phones in similar manner to avoid calls or messages disturbing you. On the other hand if the reading is in a gadget, one may resort to using programs that are or are inbuilt in the gadget, that help during reading whereby such programs help in blocking particular unwelcome sites or applications for a specified time duration. To ensure that all the time spent reading is productive, it will best that all unnecessary external stimuli be removed and the reader concentrated on the material only.

5. Engage in Reflective Reading Practice 

It’s useful to stop after a section or chapter of a book, and think over what you have read. For example, it may be helpful to take a moment and rephrase the essence of the content read in one’s own views. This not only aids one in mastering the details but also optimizes the absorption power of the brain. While putting the information in one’s words, one is putting the information to work for him/her; the ideas are better understood and remembered.

Also, it is important to evaluate the content beyond its summary. Try to assess or find relevance of the material to your life or work. Ask yourself if similar views or events have been present in your personal or employment history. This bodily engagement with the material tends to foster a more profound sense of relationship towards the content enabling association with them in more practical ways.

Also, where the material introduces concepts or techniques which could be useful in real life situations, make sure to think about how these might be incorporated to your life or work. Reflective reading does not simply stop at comprehending the material. It goes a step further by involving many thoughts as to how one can put this reading into action on a daily basis or in decision making. This application-focused objective enhances one’s appreciation of the concepts involved and also makes the reading activity rooted in practice and productive.

6. Use Other Avenues for Help

To enhance one’s reading experience on a particular issue, the individual needs to deepen the scope of understanding of the issue. It is okay to look for more materials that can provide more explanation or insight on the matter. A dictionary will also come in handy especially when there are new terms that one comes across that require them to understand the different connotations and significance of the words in the text within the book. This active engagement with the vocabulary will positively impact the individual’s understanding and enjoyment of the content.

Other than a dictionary, think about using the internet for discussion of forums on the subject area of the book. Hearing from other readers who have also read the same book may provide new angles, ideas or even resolve some issues that were in doubt. Such discussions may also help in understanding the material better by giving other ways of looking at the material or using it.

In case the book mentions other books or researches, use this as a chance to research those works for better mastery of the subject. Understanding some of the similar works may give some background information, additional illustrations, or even opposing views that help to understand the issue better. Such a wider understanding can also assist in understanding the ideas or arguments of the book in a deeper way in order to make sense of the content and evaluate it more thoroughly.

Summary:

Learning how to read for maximum effectiveness is a skill that one has to build over time. It requires the reader to focus on some aspects such as goal setting, text interaction, time management, reflective reading, and other resources in order to improve their reading. Reading, however, is the transmission of ideas, not the receiving of information passively, thus the need to stretch one’s mind.

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