10 Tips On How To Understand What You Read
I’ve been reading since I was in high school and struggle a lot with understanding what I have read.
If you ask me what I have understood from the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad that I read in high school, I would say “It’s about assets”. It makes me demotivated to read more because I would feel like it’s useless to read because I wouldn’t remember it 3 or 5 days after finishing it.
The problem is that I avoid dealing with my struggle.
I just keep on reading if I want to, not finding any solution for understanding what I have read. Then I realized it’s not just about reading or remembering, but more about understanding.
If you keep on remembering subjects that you learned and don’t want to understand them, you are more likely to forget what you have learned.
Understanding helped us become more connected with what we learned. So, the more you understand what you read, the more valuable lessons you will learn and probably implement in life.
The more valuable lessons you learn and implement,
the more likely you are to achieve success and make great decisions.
Here are 10 tips that helped me understand what I read:
1. Preview the material
Before diving in, take a few minutes to skim through the chapter or section. Look at headings, subheadings, and any highlighted or emphasized text.
Sometimes, I just go into the table of contents and then find what I am interested in.
This can give you a roadmap for what to expect.
2. Take notes
Write down key points, summaries, or questions as you read.
This helps reinforce information and provides a quick reference for later. You can use a commonplace book. A commonplace book is a compilation of your knowledge or understanding.
It could be from your experience or the books that you read.
3. Visualize concepts
Create mental images of the concepts you’re reading about.
This is optional, even though it could help, because it can make abstract ideas more concrete and easier to grasp.
It’s including arrowing the subjects and mind maps too.
4. Summarize
Periodically pause and summarize what you’ve read in your own words.
If you can explain it, you’ve likely understood it.
5. Discuss with others
Engage in discussions about the material with classmates, friends, or online communities.
Explaining concepts to others can deepen your understanding.
6. Use annotation
Underline or highlight important passages.
Write marginal notes or use sticky notes to mark your thoughts or questions.
7. Read actively
Stay engaged by asking yourself questions about the material.
Why is this happening? What might happen next? How does this relate to what I already know?
Implement or connect with what you have experienced.
8. Take breaks
If you’re tackling a lengthy or challenging text, take short breaks to avoid mental fatigue.
It gives your brain a chance to process and absorb the information.
You can start by breaking the lengthy text, which could help you be more motivated to read.
9. Reflect
After finishing a section or chapter, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned.
How does it connect to previous knowledge? What new insights have you gained? You can implement it before reading, too.
Give yourself a minute to pause to remember and understand what you read yesterday.
10. Revisit and review
Go back and review your notes or key passages periodically.
Repetition helps solidify your understanding. You could try spaced repetition in your reading if you are interested.
Spaced repetition helps you strategize and review with ease.
So, here are concise list of 10 tips on how to understand what you read:
- Preview the material (skimming)
- Take Notes (Commonplace Book)
- Visualize Concepts (Arrows or Mindmaps)
- Summarize (use your own words or understanding).
- Discuss with Others (explain it to others)
- Use annotation (highlighting).
- Read actively (connect with the dots).
- Take breaks (break into pieces).
- Reflect (before reading or chapters)
- Revisit and Review (Spaced Repetition)
I hope you can share your journey of reading in the comments, and I would love to hear it from you.
Happy reading, and don’t forget to implement it to understand it more effectively.
“You are what you read.”
― Kenneth E. Hagin, Growing Up, Spiritually
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