How to improve reading comprehension

First things first: don’t just dive in and hope for the best. Set yourself up for success by asking, ‘What do I want to get out of this?’ Are you reading for fun, to learn something new, or to prep for a discussion? For example, if you’re reading ‘Atomic Habits’ to pick up productivity tips, jot down a quick goal like, ‘Find 3 actionable takeaways.’ This keeps your brain on the lookout for key info instead of zoning out. Also, pick a time when you’re alert—trying to read when you’re exhausted is like expecting your phone to run on 1% battery. If you’re not a morning person, don’t force it. Even 15 focused minutes beats an hour of distracted skimming.

Think of this like scouting a trail before a hike—it helps you see the big picture. Flip through the pages and check out headings, bolded words, summaries, or even the table of contents. If you’re reading an article, skim the first and last paragraphs (that’s where the main points usually hide). For books, read the intro or blurb to get a sense of the author’s goal. Let’s say you’re reading ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck’—noticing chapter titles like ‘You Are Not Special’* clues you into the book’s blunt, counterintuitive style. This preview primes your brain to connect the dots as you read, so the details stick better. It’s like giving your brain a roadmap instead of dropping it in the middle of a maze.

Passive reading is the enemy of comprehension. If you’re just letting words wash over you, your brain checks out. Instead, interact with the text—underline key points, jot notes in the margins, or highlight quotes that jump out. For example, if you’re reading ‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama, you might underline a line like, ‘Failure is a feeling long before it’s an actual result.’ Then, scribble a quick note: ‘How does this apply to my fear of public speaking?’ This forces you to engage with the material on a deeper level. Digital readers? No problem—use the highlight or note-taking features in apps like Kindle or Apple Books. The act of writing (or typing) helps cement ideas in your memory. Pro tip: Don’t go overboard—highlighting everything defeats the purpose. Aim for 1-2 key ideas per page.

After every few paragraphs or pages, pause and ask yourself: ‘What was that about?’ Then, put it into your own words—out loud or on paper. For example, if you just read a section in ‘Sapiens’ about how humans evolved, you might summarize: ‘Basically, we didn’t just evolve physically—our ability to cooperate in large groups gave us an edge over other species.’ This isn’t about memorizing word-for-word; it’s about making sure you get the core idea. If you can’t summarize it, that’s a sign you need to reread or slow down. This works for everything—articles, textbooks, even podcast transcripts. It’s like hitting the ‘save’ button in your brain. Struggling? Try the ‘Feynman Technique’: Explain the concept as if you’re teaching a 5-year-old. If you can’t simplify it, you don’t understand it well enough yet.

Your brain loves patterns and connections. The more you link new info to stuff you already know, the stickier it becomes. For example, if you’re reading ‘The Power of Habit’ and learn about the ‘cue-routine-reward’ loop, think about a habit you’re trying to break—like scrolling on your phone first thing in the morning. What’s the cue (boredom? stress?), the routine (grabbing your phone), and the reward (dopamine hit)? Suddenly, the concept isn’t just abstract—it’s personal. This works for fiction too. If you’re reading ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ compare Scout’s childhood to your own or someone you know. The more you relate, the more meaningful (and memorable) the reading becomes. It’s like building a mental web—each new idea gets anchored to something familiar.

Ever notice how you understand something better after explaining it to someone else? That’s because teaching forces you to organize your thoughts. After reading, chat about it with a friend, partner, or even your pet (no judgment). If you’re reading ‘Educated’ by Tara Westover, you might say, ‘Can you believe she went from never setting foot in a classroom to getting a PhD at Cambridge? What would’ve happened if she’d given up?’ These conversations reveal gaps in your understanding and help you see different angles. No one to talk to? No problem—write a mini ‘book review’ in a journal or even a voice memo. The key is to articulate your thoughts. If you’re part of a book club, even better! Hearing others’ perspectives can open your eyes to things you missed. And if you’re reading for work, try summarizing the key points in a quick Slack message to a teammate—it’s low-pressure and practical.

You’ve made it to the end—congrats! But don’t just close the book and move on. Spend 5-10 minutes reviewing what you’ve read. Flip back through your notes or highlights and ask: ‘What were the big takeaways? How do they fit together?’ For example, if you just finished ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,’ you might list the habits and rank them by which ones you want to work on first. This step cements the info in your long-term memory. It’s also a great time to reflect on how the material made you feel. Did it challenge your beliefs? Inspire you? Bore you to tears? Your emotional reaction is a clue to what stuck with you (or didn’t). If you’re reading for work, jot down 1-2 action items. For example, after reading an article on time management, you might write: ‘Try the Pomodoro Technique for my next project.’ Small steps make the reading useful, not just theoretical.