How To Become A Better Reader

Reading and comprehension is an integral skill for many areas of life. It’s quite interesting how such a simple skill can prove so useful but it’s important in a large number of educational and workplace settings.

The ability to read attentively can prove useful for information gathering, learning novel ideas, developing skills, forming creative ideas and the list goes on. Even if not in an educational or workplace setting, reading can come in handy. It can be helpful if learning a new skill, starting a business, doing personal research or even just for leisure.

There’s many ways reading can be valuable. Having this skill fine-tuned and perfected is important because of its potential value.

Ways to become a better reader

Here are some ways to improve reading skills and become a better reader.

1. Focus when reading

This may seem like an obvious tip but it’s a surprisingly useful one. Some people have a habit of reading without paying attention. They simply read words without fully focusing on the meaning of these words together. It’s something even some skilled readers do sometimes – reading without paying attention. To be a good reader, it’s important to assure that you are focusing when reading. Concentrate on the meaning of what you are reading and not just the content.

If you find yourself reading and your attention lapses once in a while that’s okay. You don’t have to be full focused every single moment and for every single piece of content that you read. Passing by a few sentences and realizing you weren’t paying attention is nothing to worry about. Just revisit those sentences and make sure you focus. The point here is to try to focus as often as you can when you do read so you minimize instances of not paying attention.

2. Summarize or review material

Once you’re done reading an identifiable portion of something (i.e. a chapter, a section of an article, a page, etc.), take a few moments to summarize what you’ve gathered. Consider writing it down on paper and/or doing a mental review.

This is not just a self-administered exam, it’s also a great way to increase the chance that information will be retained because repetition helps form memories.

At the end of the article, book or the full piece of material you are reading, do another comprehensive summary. Summarize the main points of the whole piece.

3. Take notes

While you’re reading, try to make notes on the important points or observations. Whether you’re reading fiction or non-fiction, notate the important details. This can also help you with your summary at the end. It’s difficult to remember every detail in a written piece so taking notes helps give us something we can refer to. Have a separate piece of paper or a way to write things down on a phone or computer and write notes there.

One thing that can really help while taking notes is to remember not to spend too much time notating easily remembered points. For example, if you read something that really resonates with you and you easily retain it naturally, there’s no need to go into extreme detail writing it down. You can put a little reminder with basic details to jog your memory if you’d like. The point of taking notes is to assist with memorizing and recalling details you’re likely to forget.

4. Practice

A great way to become a better reader is to do it more often and get the eyes, the mind and the attention span accustomed to doing it. Make sure you read on a consistent basis and do as much as you can tolerate. Stop if you feel tired or that your attention is not at peak performance. Don’t overly strain your eyes or your mind.

Try reading slightly faster than what you’re used to, as well. This ways if you are able to retain information and read at a faster than expected pace, you’re more likely to have an easy time if you read at a slower pace or read something less complicated.

5. Read comfortably

When you’re reading, make sure you are in a comfortable environment that’s suitable for reading and retaining information. Assure that your body is comfortable, as well. Sit down in a comfortable position (you can lay down as well, provided you are comfortable). Allow yourself the chance to be able to move around if you get uncomfortable.

Make sure your posture is upright, you are not slouching, your shoulders are relaxed and your head is held up straight. It’s important not to be looking down at your book or any device you may be reading on. Position whatever you’re reading off of at or slightly below eye level if possible. You might want to consider getting a book, tablet or phone holder for a desk. Some people have a habit of moving their head down and/or forward when reading, try to avoid this.

The eyes are also very important when it comes to reading. Some of the absolute last things you should do to try to become a better reader is read when your eyes are tired or overstrain them in order to read. If you read on a screen, adjust the brightness and white balance perfectly. Play around with your setting to see if you can make them more comfortable on your eyes. Try not to position anything too close or too far from your eyes. Make sure you don’t forget to blink and assure that you give your eyes a break every little while. Tip: try looking at something 20 feet away for 20 minutes if you’ve been looking at something close for too long.

6. Read the same thing more than once (if possible)

Repetition helps form memories. Reading the same thing more than once means there’s a better chance you will retain more information from the content. Try reading the same thing twice or even more than twice. This is, of course, if it is logical for you to do so. You may not have the time to read 200 pages twice let alone more than that. Otherwise, when circumstances permit, try to read the same thing more than once.

7. Mentally interact with what you read

If you immerse yourself in what you’re reading and genuinely interact with it you increase the chance that you will retain information. Genuinely connecting with content makes it more exciting.

Try using your imagination to envision what you are reading. Relate things you read to your own life and experiences to form connected memories with what you already know. Maybe think of potential ways in which knowledge from what you’re reading can help you in life.