7 Tips to Remember What You Read

We've all been there: finishing an amazing book, feeling inspired and enlightened, only to draw a blank when trying to recall its key insights a few weeks later.

You always feel like you know so much, that you could write a book about it, but when you try to explain it to someone, you embarass yourself by not being able to remember the details, or mumble a bunch of incomplete and incoherent thoughts.

If this sounds like you, don't worry. You're not alone. It just means that you're:

1. Not using the right strategies to remember what you read

2. Not processing the information deeply enough

But here's the good news: remembering what you read isn't about having a photographic memory—it's about having the right system. Here are seven proven strategies that will help you retain and apply more of what you read, making you a more active learner.

1) Teach Someone Else

The number #1 strategy to remember what you read is to teach someone else. Teaching is one of the most effective ways to learn.

It forces you to explain things in your own words, which forces you to understand the concepts deeply.

Consider joining a book club or sharing your learnings with a friend.

2) Eliminate Distractions to Focus

Distractions are the nemesis of focus. Find a quiet space, put your phone on silent, and create an environment conducive to deep focus when you're reading The first step to better memory is giving your full attention to what you're reading. If you're reading and scrolling instagram every 10 minutes or watching TV at the same time, chances are you're not going to remember much.

Only reading before bed when you're half asleep is not going to help you remember either.

3) Use an App like Screvi

The easiest way to remember what you read and one that does not require any significant lifestyle changes, is to use an app like Screvi.

You can use it to fetch your highlight and all the things you want to remember from several sources like Kindle, your physical books, twitter, etc and then it will automatically generate a social media-like feed of your highlights.

Making it super easy to consistently review them.

4) Engage Actively with the Text

Reading isn't just about consuming words; it's about interacting with them:

Highlight or underline, use symbols like stars or question marks, scribble thoughts in margins, and use sticky notes for key sections. This active engagement solidifies your understanding and recall.

5) Apply What You've Learned

Knowledge without application is forgettable:

If you read about health, change your habits accordingly. The act of applying what you've learned ensures it sticks because you're using that knowledge actively.

6) Review, Review, Review

Memory fades unless information is revisited:

Use spaced repetition like "The Rule of 5":

• Review 5 times the first day
• Once a day for 5 days
• Once a week for 5 weeks

By implementing these strategies, not only will you remember more from your reading, but you'll also find it easier to apply these insights in real-world scenarios, making your reading time truly productive.