After reading I forget what I have read

by Sainath
(Guntur, Andhrapradesh, India)

After studying my subject I forget the answers to the questions. How to store in my memory, and how to concentrate on my studies? I am losing everything in my mind. I am preparing for competitive exams. Please say what I have to do.

Doug's Reply. Self-testing is a powerful study technique you might try. When studying, many people read the information passively over and over. However, this is not the most effective way to digest reading material. After finishing a chapter, literally test yourself to see what you have retained - or have another student quiz you.

Self-testing is closely related to recitation. You should recite the material immediately after you read it. Basically this means repeating what you just read to yourself from memory. In other words, after you read a sentence or two, raise your head up from the book and try to recall the facts in what you just read. If you can't recall the facts, that means you did not absorb the information. In that case, go back and re-read the passage.

You should also ask questions as you read. As you study, ask the classic who-what-when-where-why-how type questions. Effective reading isn't a passive activity. If your goal is to remember the material, you need to interact with it.

See my Best Study Skills page for more tips on effective studying.

If you have trouble remembering specific facts, try using the Memory Systems to memorize the information. Techniques such as the Link Method and Peg Method give you mental "hooks" that you can use to retrieve the details from your memory. These memory skills do require practice.

I hope that helps. Best of luck on your exams!

Regards,
Douglas
Memory-Improvement-Tips.com