Reading is great.
Books are one of the most effective means to enhance one’s knowledge across a wide array of subjects.
Whether it’s non-fiction, technical literature, or novels, the power of books is profound.
I once stumbled across the quote, “Books are the cheat codes to life” and it resonated with me deeply.
In books, we find mentors from various fields who are at the pinnacle of their expertise.
Reading also refines our language skills and enables us to learn new languages.
It contributes to our mental well-being by sparking our imagination, fostering connections between ideas, and enhancing our cognitive abilities.
Moreover, reading is an immensely enjoyable pursuit.
For anyone committed to lifelong learning and aspiring to be a lifelong student, reading is an indispensable path.
In my view, it stands as the ultimate means to continue one’s education and represents a remarkable investment in oneself.
Sadly in our modern world where we’ve grown accustomed to allowing external influences to affect us, it can be challenging to retain the knowledge we gain from reading.
Social media has played a significant role in shaping our attention span, often prioritizing entertainment over deep engagement and learning.
This is regrettable because there was a reason you chose that book in the first place and dedicated time to reading it.
Often, people share with me that they’ve read something on a particular subject, but struggle to recall the specifics.
Recognizing the inherent value in retaining the knowledge you acquire, I’ve undertaken to write this article, aiming to provide insights on how to better retain the information you consume.
General Tips
One of the most straightforward ways to improve your ability to retain what you read is to create a comfortable reading environment and make it something to look forward to.
It can be especially beneficial to schedule these reading sessions early in the day since the brain is typically most receptive to new information during this time.
Additionally, minimizing distractions during your reading time is crucial.
A quiet and distraction-free space is essential to concentrate effectively.
Equally important is taking short breaks in between reading sessions.
The brain has a finite capacity, and regular breaks are necessary to refresh it.
Also, selecting books that genuinely captivate your interest is an obvious yet crucial tip for enhancing retention.
There should be a clear rationale behind your choice of a book and a specific goal you aim to achieve through reading it.
This could involve expanding your knowledge in a particular area, addressing gaps in your existing knowledge, or acquiring new skills that you intend to put into practice.
In this regard, it can be highly beneficial to aspire to apply what you learn directly from the books.
For instance, if you’re reading a book like “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie (which in my opinion is a must-read for basically everyone), you can challenge yourself to put the principles into action after each new chapter.
Personally, I’ve found that this practice also serves as a skill in itself.
At times, I find it requires some effort to develop an interest in certain topics.
However, once I immerse myself in a particular mindset, I rediscover the vast array of fascinating subjects that the world has to offer and the wealth of knowledge and understanding available.
It’s a helpful practice to keep comprehensive notes on what you’ve learned, storing them somewhere accessible, and linking related topics to continually expand your knowledge.
Furthermore, periodically revisiting the books you’ve read can yield new insights and profits, a technique I’ve found to be enriching.
It’s not uncommon to read the same book in different years and find something new each time.
Lastly, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for nurturing robust mental health and a well-functioning memory.
Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.
The reading process
Now that you’ve selected a book that deeply interests you and whose content you wish to comprehend and apply in real life, the initial step in maximizing your understanding is to create a comprehensive overview of the entire reading.
Start by skimming through the chapter names and using tools like the table of contents to grasp the book’s structure and the logical flow of topics.
Once you delve into the first chapter you intend to read, it’s beneficial to take a moment to scan the entire text.
Familiarize yourself with headings, subtitles, pictures, and diagrams within the text.
This will provide you with a preliminary understanding of the text’s core themes and organization.
Next, it’s crucial to consider the questions you aim to have answered by the text.
By formulating specific questions you wish to address with the material, you transition from passive reading to active reading.
This approach involves actively seeking information from the text and attempting to answer these questions as you progress. Importantly, these questions should align with the primary points and objectives of the text.
Moving on to the reading itself, it is crucial to approach the text with intense focus and attentiveness, actively seeking answers to the questions you generated in the previous step.
If you’ve embraced the principles of active reading, you may find it valuable to utilize text markers or take notes on specific passages.
Upon completing the section, the next step is to recap the material.
It’s essential to restate the information you’ve acquired in your own words rather than simply repeating the text.
Take this opportunity to answer the questions you’ve had answered during your reading.
Additionally, consider jotting down how you can apply what you’ve just read in real-life situations and how it can enhance your decision-making or problem-solving abilities.
The ease with which you can articulate what you’ve read is indicative of your comprehension. (This aligns with the fundamental principles of the so-called Feynman Method, which will be discussed in a subsequent article.)
Last but not least, the final step involves a second review of the text.
In many cases, as you revisit your own summary, you’ll likely find that some aspects remain unanswered or unclear.
This is precisely what the second reading is intended to address.
Additionally, you can use this opportunity to cross-check the accuracy of your notes and ensure you haven’t overlooked any critical information.
If you wish to explore this approach further, simply search for “SQ3R-Method” on Google.
The concepts I’ve outlined here are heavily influenced by this system, with some elaborations and personalizations by me.
I hope this article serves as motivation to read more actively and inspires you to put your newfound knowledge into practice. Happy reading!
Hope I could help. If you enjoyed the article or if you have any questions or comments please let me know down below.
Nick
