How to Retain More From What You Read

Finishing a book only to forget the key points days later is frustrating. Fortunately, with a few smart reading techniques, you can improve comprehension and memory. Here’s how.

1. Summarize Each Chapter

Take a minute after each chapter to write a 1–2 sentence summary. It reinforces retention and gives you quick notes to review later.

2. Teach What You Learn

Explaining a concept to someone else forces you to understand it deeply. If you can’t teach it, you haven’t truly absorbed it.

3. Use Spaced Repetition

Revisit summaries or key notes at increasing intervals, after 1 day, 3 days, 7 days. This is scientifically proven to improve recall.

4. Annotate Actively

Write notes in the margins, underline key points, and engage with the text. Passive reading is forgettable, active reading is memorable.

5. Apply Immediately

Reading a business or self-help book? Implement one idea that day. Action reinforces memory.

Retention isn’t about reading more, it’s about reading better. Try these tips and turn every book into a lasting lesson.