Effective Reading Techniques for Improved Memory and Learning

Active and thoughtful reading, note-taking, and discussing content aid memory retention and comprehension, enhancing the efficiency of reading.

### How to Remember Everything You Read: Techniques for Efficient Learning
* 📚 The Forgetting Curve theory by Hermann Ebbinghaus suggests that **80% of new information is forgotten within 24 hours**, emphasizing the need for **effective learning strategies**.
* 🧠 To optimize memory retention, it is recommended to actively engage with the material through **thoughtful reading, note-taking, summarizing, and discussing the content with others**.
* 📝 Research by Audrey Vandermeer shows that handwritten notes are more effective for memory retention than digital notes, as they engage the brain **more actively**.
* 💬 Discussing or teaching the material to someone else **immediately after reading** helps reinforce neural connections and **deepen understanding**.
* 🎨 Visual learners can benefit from **sketching notes or creating diagrams** to represent the information, as this taps into the brain's **natural image-based thinking process**.
* If a book or topic is challenging, it's okay to take a step back and seek **simpler explanations or resources** before revisiting the material for **better comprehension**.
* 💡 The key takeaway is to approach reading as an **active cognitive process**, constantly questioning and engaging with the material to **enhance learning and retention**.
* 🚀 By implementing these **simple yet powerful techniques**, readers can significantly **boost their ability to remember and apply the knowledge gained** from books and other sources.

Hey, let's do a little experiment with you. Remember that very useful book you read, at least half a year ago. You can even pause the video and think for a moment, remember, maybe even mention some main theses. No, but you understood and remembered everything perfectly while reading. Relax, there's no need to worry, most people remember what they read without using special techniques. There are two reasons for that. The first one is the Forgetting Curve, which was detailed by Hermann Ebbinghaus. In short, the longer it has been since you learned something new, the more information you will forget. In fact, 80% of what you read will be forgotten within the first 24 hours. Do you see the scale of the problem? And the other problem is that we are constantly processing information, reading tens of thousands of words a day, endless push notifications, ads, work chats, documents, it all comes at us from different directions. Back in 2009, scientists...

The USA has calculated that on average, an American processes 100,000 words a day coming from the outside. In 2017, scientists from the University of Melbourne conducted an experiment, dividing the participants into two groups: those who watch a single talk show once a week and those who watch many different shows during the week. After 140 days, those who watched only one talk show were better able to talk about the chosen talk show. The conclusion is to choose literature wisely, not to read everything indiscriminately, and to use memory techniques. Personally, unfortunately, I don't have time for fiction anymore, although I used to love it. Now, I focus on non-fiction literature that is as practical and useful as possible. To remember everything I read, I use seemingly simple techniques. These methods won't turn you into Sherlock Holmes with his palace of reason, but they will significantly boost the efficiency of reading. I have also published on my Telegram channel.

A post that will help you remember everything I said in this video and start reading correctly today. And now, let's move on to the techniques. So, first of all, tune in to reading, this is the basis, especially if you are studying a new topic or you are sure that the information from the book will be useful to you. Thoughtful reading will make you activate your brain, and they are very lazy. Just a little push, and there will always be something more interesting. Decide in advance how and when you will read, and most importantly, why do you want to become smarter? What skill do you want to improve? To earn more money, to outsmart a colleague, to broaden your horizons, to become better in general. Answer these questions, and consider half of the work already done. Also, do not read difficult books when you are tired, otherwise, there will be little benefit from what you have read. Summarize the main theses in writing. The effectiveness of this method was confirmed by Audrey Vandermeer, a scientist from a Norwegian university.

She observed brain activity while taking notes by hand and on a computer. Both experiments proved that in the first case, the brains of adults and children worked more actively. However, if you take notes from a computer, tablet, or phone, try to do it without peeking into the book. This way, you will better reinforce what you have read. But if something is not right, you can edit it at any time. The main thing is not to take notes fanatically; there is no task to rewrite everything. You need to strengthen new neural connections by analyzing what you have read and extracting the most important information from there, distinguishing the important from the unimportant. You probably know yourself that a lot of popular science literature consists of 80% of water, so don't fill your head with nonsense. Also, don't forget one important trick: you right now and you in a year are completely different people. Therefore, when you take notes, do it as if you are not doing it for yourself but for someone else.

Or a person who has not read this book, there is an unwritten rule: if you cannot explain it to someone else, it means you haven't fully understood the topic. Therefore, it is essential to find an opportunity to discuss the book with someone or retell it. It's better to do it right away while the reading is still fresh in your mind. This way, you immediately reinforce new neural connections. As the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot. To retell what you've read, the brain will spend more resources; at the very least, you need to remember everything, analyze, build cause-and-effect relationships, select the right words and associations in your language, and translate it into speech. The more effort you put into something, the more valuable it is for the brain. Moreover, you can share your thoughts and opinions in a blog, or at least in notes. There is also an opposite approach: imagine you are a literary critic looking for mistakes and logical inconsistencies in the book. Approach the study from this angle.

Healthy skepticism. So, you set your brain for cognitive work, not just to read something lightly. I'll tell you a secret: I don't always take notes. Instead, I use an alternative method - I ask questions, sometimes I write them down. For example, before reading, I ask myself: what do I want to get from this book? Do I really need it now, or am I trying to cover all the knowledge in the world? How will I apply the information from there? During reading, I pause briefly. I ask myself: did I understand what I read? How can I apply this knowledge right now? Will I be able to explain it to someone else, at least in a week? If I answer no, and the information is important, I reread it or use other methods. If you don't like boring notes or always perceived information better visually, start sketching notes. Engage your inner child in the game.

All of us think in images, not in words. Yes, to remember who followed Louis the Fourth, or what Roy is in marketing, can be difficult at first, just like in school. Therefore, while reading, try to visualize what you are reading. If you don't understand something, draw a diagram. If you worry that you can't draw well, don't worry. I have good news for you. Psychologists from Terlo University in 2014 conducted a study and found that the quality of drawings does not affect memorization. Draw anything and however you like. If it helps you remember what you read, scribble, draw separate words, sketch associations. It may sound strange, but it works. It's normal if a certain book doesn't come easy to you at once. Maybe you're just not ready for it yet. For example, you won't be able to speak fluent English right after the first tutoring session.

Read a book in its original language with complex themes. If you struggle to get into game design manuals right away or don't understand complex marketing research, okay, leave them. In the first case, read what niche bloggers write about it, and in the second, google unfamiliar terms. The next attempt will be even easier, and the unclear parts will be better remembered after the first read. These techniques and methods may sound simple, and that's the danger - you might forget them. Or you could just pick a couple and start applying them in practice. Choose what suits you best. And most importantly, take action.

Как я запоминаю ВСЮ информацию (этим методам в школе не учат)

kurov

The Importance of Selective Reading and Memory Techniques

The Forgetting Curve, detailed by Hermann Ebbinghaus, explains how 80% of new information is forgotten within 24 hours.

The average American processes 100,000 words from external sources daily, leading to information overload.

Selective reading and memory techniques, as suggested by the University of Melbourne experiment, can significantly improve reading efficiency.

Effective Techniques for Improving Your Reading Skills

Tune in to reading to activate your brain and improve your focus, and consider your purpose for reading to enhance effectiveness.

Summarize the main points in writing to reinforce your understanding, and take notes by hand to increase brain activity.

Analyze and extract the most important information from what you read to strengthen neural connections and avoid filling your head with unimportant details.

Remember that taking notes as if for someone else can improve your retention and understanding of the material.

The Importance of Retelling and Discussing What You Read

It is crucial to retell and discuss what you read to reinforce your understanding and create new neural connections.

Engaging in cognitive work and actively analyzing the text, rather than just lightly reading, is a more valuable approach for the brain.

Using alternative methods such as asking questions or sketching notes can also enhance comprehension and retention of the material.

The Power of Visualization in Improving Memorization

Visualizing information and drawing diagrams can aid in memory retention, regardless of drawing quality.

It's normal to struggle with complex topics, and it's okay to take a step back and seek alternative learning methods.

Breaking down the reading material, seeking outside resources, and using personalized techniques can make the learning process more effective.