Every avid reader faces the same old challenge—countless books to read and insufficient time to absorb and retain new information.
Deep reading is an intentional practice that enables readers to completely engage with a text or study material. Whether you deep-read to pass a test or for enjoyment, the main objective is to absorb and retain vast information. Deep reading strategies involve the elimination of distractions, opening up the mind, and taking time to read. Hence, it is also known as slow reading. To embrace deep reading, follow the tips below.
When reading—consider slowing down. You have to allow some time and space to your mind—to effectively reflect on the information gathered. Your focus should not be on “getting through” the chapter or book—instead, enjoy the slow reading process. View it as a much-needed break from the constant inflow of information—and not a challenge.
Visual learners tend to absorb and retain information better than those who haven’t mastered the art yet. Images are a lot easier to remember—as opposed to—words or literary notes. To put it simply, visual memories receive more precedence in our minds than words—which is why—you might vividly remember an incident from the time you were 10, but forget about a topic you studied two days ago.
When reading a book—try to associate every sentence with a vivid mental image. If you train yourself to visualise everything you read—it will help improve your brain’s memory retention ability. Absorbing and retaining information with visual memory can do wonders.
We don't have enough time to waste on average reading materials or books. There are hundreds and thousands of incredible books to read. If you don’t pick your books wisely and mindfully, you might end up wasting your time reading not-so-great texts, and that is a loss. Remember, pick good books and read the best ones twice.
Many readers make this mistake—they buy more books than they can read or process. As a result, they quit midway to never return to the book. It commonly happens when you have many books to read at a given time or you try to read a lengthy text or chapter without any prior strategy. It compels readers to feel overwhelmed or bored. To keep reading regression at bay, try to keep the volume of your study material small and concise.
Many readers despise the concept of highlighting texts because it ruins the visual appeal of their treasured hard-copy books. However, highlighting is a fantastic way to restore your attention to focus on the critical parts of the study material or book. If highlighting sentences is still not your thing, you can use tabs and sticky notes on pages with written information that can be revisited later to jog your memory. By highlighting the main components of a book, you can emphasise the various ideas that the text incorporates.
Summarising lengthy texts is an effective way to revise and retain information better. Use this trick soon after you have finished reading a book. Pretend that you are summarising a text for someone who does not know anything about the reading material’s content. If you can go through the summary and perceive the book’s general concepts and objectives—you may be able to retain that knowledge for many years to come.
If you read when you are tired, you will struggle to concentrate or process the information. Our brain cannot function efficiently when it needs sleep. Therefore, pick a reading time when your mind is alert, and your body feels energised.
Don't allow a boatload of study materials to intimidate you. With these reading strategies, you can read more and remember better than ever.
