Too many people struggle to remember
what they read. It's a problem that a lot of people struggle with. It
doesn't matter how interested you are in the material. It doesn't
matter how well you think you're focusing on it. Some people always
seem to suffer from can't-remember-what-you-read-itis. It's a
creeping condition that seems to be showing up more and more these
days. What makes it worse is that it seems like the people who suffer
from this condition once are more likely to suffer from it again in
the future. If you're looking to start remembering what you read then
there are things you can do to change.
This is what you need to know to remember what you read better.
Speed Up
What?!? You're probably wondering how
speeding up could possibly help your ability to remember what you
read but it's actually one of the most important factors that people
struggle with while reading. The number one reason that people don't
remember information that they read is that they get distracted.
Getting distracted is easy. Reading a
certain sentence just sparks a thought, that thought sparks another
thought, then another, and it goes on until you're reading the next
paragraph thinking about why pirates name their parrots “Polly.”
At the very least, you're not thinking about the words on the page.
This absolutely devastates any hope of remembering the information
you're reading.
By speeding up, you force yourself to
focus more on the information on the page and less on everything
else. When you don't have enough time to think too deeply around what
you read, you get to go deeper into the information as the author
intended.
Make Reading Serious Business
Most people treat reading like it can
be a passive activity like listening to music. People think that they
can read and do other things at the same time. This falls down the
same path of distraction as before but it gets even worse. If you
choose to listen to music while reading, your brain is consistently
having to choose between listening or reading. The mind is physically
incapable of doing to things at once. The closest it can do is switch
between tasks really fast. Having that choice, even if you think your
completely into the material, will distract you.
If you want to remember what you read
better, you need to treat reading as an intense activity. You should
not let yourself get distracted by anything. That means you should
shut the music off. Yes, even the classical stuff. It can distract
you too. Turn your phone off if you have to. No, the TV isn't going
to help you think either.
Remembering what you read requires
focused reading.
Think About It Afterwards
Many people pick up their textbook for
studying and read through hoping the information sticks. When they're
done reading, they just put away the books and move on. Do not do
that. Anyone that's ever gotten deep into a mystery novel knows this
secret to remembering the story. When you put the book down, your job
isn't done. That is the time that you need to think about what you
read.
The more time you give yourself to
think about the book after reading it, the better you're going to be
able to remember it.
Sure, it requires more time but if
you're speeding up your reading speed then you'll make up for it.
Take the time to think about the material and you'll be
amazed how fast you can remember something weeks later.
Learning how to remember what you read is a skill that needs practice. There is no magic formula but using these
three factors you'll be able to start seeing massive improvements in
no time at all.
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