How to Read Faster and Still Remember Everything

Let me know if this sounds familiar to you: you spend a long time reading a chapter of a book only to look up and think, “what did I just read?” Then, you have to go back and read the pages over again to retain the information. Perhaps you don’t have any issues remembering what you read the first time, but your reading speed is painfully slow. 

If any of the above resonates with you, you’ve come to the right place. Reading is a valuable skill because the more you read, the more you learn. Therefore, you can learn more information if you can read faster. In this post, we’re going to cover how to read more quickly without sacrificing comprehension. 

Read More Often

Like any other skill, practice makes perfect. The more time you spend reading, the faster your brain learns to process information. A lot of people claim that they don’t have enough time to read. However, it’s typically because they don’t set aside time for reading and try to pile it on their other tasks. 

If you commit just 30 minutes per day towards reading, you’ll be shocked to see how you can gradually finish a book faster. Another way to read more often is to always carry a book with you. You’d be surprised at how much free time you have throughout the day, whether you’re waiting for your dentist appointment, at the airport, or enjoying a morning coffee. 

Eliminate Distractions While Reading

Roughly 70% of people claim to be distracted while handling a task. Whether it’s your phone, emails, computer, or television, distractions can hinder your ability to finish and comprehend a book. If you want to get more high-quality reading done, you’ll need to remove yourself from a distraction environment. 

One strategy is to set a timer on your phone and dedicate this time only to your book. Once the timer goes off, feel free to check your email or social media. Repeat this process every time you’re reading a book, and you’ll quickly notice how much faster you turn the pages.

Use Writing as a Tool for Comprehension

Writing and reading go hand in hand. One of the most effective ways to retain the information from a book is to write a summary of each chapter. Not only will this help you remember more about each section, but you can also compile all of your writings into a detailed overview of the entire book. 

For those who are more inclined to visual learning, consider drawing out a mind map instead. Mind Maps are a fantastic way to organize pieces of information so that you can review them later. 

Master the Art of Scanning

You don’t have to read every single word on the page to retain its information. According to the University of Tennessee, scanning through a page can be more effective than reading every word. Several people claim that reading three to five-word chunks for each line helps them read faster and still remember all of the points. 

To help scan clearly, you can use your finger or a pen as a marker as you move down the page. If you come across a word you’re not comfortable with, skip over it and use the context to understand what the author is saying. 

Summary

Learning how to read faster can help you excel in life. Whether you need to read a comprehensive report for your company or power through more thrillers this summer, reading faster will get you there. We hope this article was helpful and you give the above strategies a try.

Happy reading!