What’s the Secret to Remembering 80% of What You Read?

 Have you ever read something, felt like you understood it, and then forgot almost all of it the next day? You're not alone. The good news is there are simple, proven ways to help you remember what you read sometimes up to 80% or more!

Each of the 7 tips below can help you remember at least 60% of what you read on its own. But if you combine them? You’ll be amazed at how much you can remember, long after you’ve closed the book or article.

1. Teach What You Learn

The best way to remember something is to teach it.

As soon as you finish reading something important, try to explain it in your own words to someone else or even just to yourself. When you do this, your brain works harder to understand and organize the information. That makes it stick.

Quick tip: Can’t find someone to teach? Pretend! Teach your pillow or your pet. It really works.

2. Take Notes by Hand

Writing things down helps your brain remember better.

Typing is fast, but it doesn’t help your memory as much as writing with a pen and paper. When you write by hand, your brain processes the words more deeply. Try jotting down key ideas, quotes, or your own thoughts as you read.

Bonus tip: Keep a small notebook just for reading notes. It’ll become your personal goldmine of knowledge.

3. Use the “Feynman Technique”

Explain things in the simplest way possible.

This trick is named after physicist Richard Feynman. It works like this:

Choose what you want to remember.

Try to explain it like you’re teaching it to a 12-year-old.

If you get stuck, go back and re-read that part.

Repeat until it’s clear and simple.

If you can explain something simply, you truly understand it—and you’ll remember it better.

4. Read with a Purpose

Know why you're reading before you start.

Before you read, ask yourself:

What do I want to learn?

How will I use this information?

When your brain knows what to look for, it pays closer attention. This turns reading into an active process, not just something you do on autopilot.

5. Review After Reading

Don’t just close the book and move on.

Take 5–10 minutes after reading to review what you’ve learned. Think about the key points, say them out loud, or write a short summary. This extra step helps your brain move the info from short-term to long-term memory.

Even better: Do another quick review a day later, then again after a week. Spaced repetition is powerful.

6. Use Visuals and Mind Maps

Turn words into pictures.

Our brains love visuals. Instead of just reading lines of text, try drawing a quick mind map, timeline, or diagram of what you learned. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just organizing the info visually helps you make stronger mental connections.

Try this: Use colors, arrows, or even stick figures—whatever helps you “see” the information.

7. Break It Up (Don’t Read Everything at Once)

Short sessions = better memory.

Cramming doesn’t work. Reading for hours without a break tires your brain and makes it harder to remember anything. Instead, read in short chunks say, 20 to 30 minutes then take a 5-minute break.

This gives your brain time to process what you’ve read and makes learning more natural and enjoyable.

Conclusion: Stack These Strategies

Here’s the secret: Each of these strategies works on its own, but when you combine them, the effect is much stronger. Try reading with a purpose, take notes by hand, and then teach what you learned the next day. You’ll be shocked at how much sticks.

June 08, 2025 Tags : reading

Subscribe by Email

Follow Updates Articles from This Blog via Email