Reading Better : How to read and retain more
This article explains how to optimize your reading experience, whether it be a novel, article, or scholarly paper. Reading is a way to learn from others’ wisdom and knowledge, but this only holds true if you can retain and apply what you’ve read. Good reading is an art that not only helps us broaden our horizons but also enables us to gain new insights and learn faster. However, with so much information available at our fingertips, it can be challenging to retain much of what we read. In this article, we’ll discuss several simple hacks that can help us read better and retain much more information.
Quitting : Books that are well-written and engaging are like a journey that you want to take, one that almost reads itself. On the other hand, reading a bad book is a struggle, like carrying a heavy burden.
When you come across a good book, you know it instantly. Its language and organization flow effortlessly, drawing you in with each page. So don’t waste your time on books that don’t captivate you. Instead, take the time to sample many books and only delve into a select few. And for the truly exceptional books, don’t hesitate to read them twice.
Quitting a bad book or anything that doesn’t bring you joy should be guilt-free. Remember, every moment spent on a bad book is time taken away from a potentially great one. So, choose wisely and savour the best ones.
Choosing great books is crucial in obtaining valuable insights. Most new books are not worth reading and time will sort out the best ones. Focus on reading classic books and consider re-reading the best ones.
Blank Sheet Note Taking Method : The most effective way to maximize the benefit you get from the books you read is by using the blank sheet note-taking method, which has the potential to increase your retention and recall of the information by ten times.
The blank sheet method prepares your mind for the content you’re about to read and displays your learning progress. Here’s how to implement it:
- Before you start reading a new book, grab a blank sheet of paper. Write down what you already know about the book/subject you’re about to read, creating a mind map.
- After each reading session, take a few minutes to update the mind map using a different color.
- Before starting your next reading session, review the mind map.
- When you’re done reading, put the blank sheets in a binder, and periodically review them.
The blank sheet method is effective because it primes your brain for the material you’re about to read and makes your learning visible. By starting with a blank sheet, you’re forced to access your memory and write down what you already know (or think you know) about a subject.
As you read, your understanding will grow as you add new knowledge to the foundation, and you’ll also be able to identify any misconceptions you previously held. Reviewing what you already know about a subject before a reading session will not only improve your memory and recall, but it will also help you connect ideas.
Initially, the connections will come from incorporating the author’s information into your foundation. If you don’t know anything about the subject before you start, don’t worry. The book will provide a structure to build upon.
As your expertise in the subject grows, you’ll start making connections across different disciplines, challenging the author’s perspectives, and even forming your own ideas.
Book Margin Notes : Forget about being scolded for writing in your books as a child. They are your own books and you should take advantage of that by jotting down notes in the margins. Here’s a straightforward method for taking notes while reading:
At the end of each chapter, jot down a few key points that summarize the main idea or specific details. Use your own words instead of the author’s. Try to relate it to something in your life, such as a memory or another concept. Also, note any questions that you had while reading. Go over your notes again the next week. In many cases, reading your notes is as effective as reading the book again. On the inside cover, write a summary of the book using your own words. If you struggle, look back at your notes. This is known as the Feynman Technique and writing can help you realize what you don’t know.
The goal of both conventional note-taking and the blank sheet method is to link new knowledge to old knowledge and identify gaps in your understanding.
Writing about what you have read is the secret to transforming your reading experience into useful knowledge. Writing is a form of reflection.
Finally, it’s important to be mindful of our reading habits. Good reading is not just about speed but also about understanding and retaining what we read. We should avoid distractions, such as checking our phones or watching TV, while reading. Instead, we should create an environment that is conducive to reading and concentrate fully on what we are reading.
Lastly, form a simple habit of reading everyday even if its just for 25 pages. Small actions taken daily compound.
