Five Smart Techniques to Recall More of What You Read

A collection of simple methods you can apply to better remember what you read.

I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’ve always appreciated this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. While I used to read daily out of habit, I often struggled with my memory, forgetting almost everything I had read previously.

I’m also not a fan of memorizing books, it makes sense if you’re preparing for an exam or if the material is truly essential to your life, but for regular reading, it can become a tedious burden.

That said, prioritizing quality over quantity is key, and there are several techniques we can explore to improve our retention without resorting to writing summaries or studying flashcards.

In this article, we’ll cover five effective and smart strategies to retain better from what you read.

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1. Blended learning

This first technique is one of the easiest to apply to any of your readings. With today’s technology, we have instant access to a wide range of resources such as podcasts, videos, films, TV series, public reviews, and articles on almost any subject…