What are some ways to increase focus while reading or absorbing information?

Answer 1

Increasing focus can be hard to do if you're not particularly interested in the subject that you're reading. If you're not interested, then your focus will drift. That being said, we can't always choose what we get to read. I've read tons of textbooks I've had no interest in for various classes. My best method was to invent a rewards system for myself. For example, if I needed to read 50 pages I read of mandatory material (textbooks and the like), then every 10 pages I read of that, I rewarded myself with 5 pages of whatever I was interested in reading. And I meant 5 pages. If I ended in the middle of a sentence, then I ended there. I couldn't move forward until I read the next set of 10 in the textbooks.

This method is time intensive, so I wouldn't recommend it if you're cramming. If you're cramming, try a rewards method with instant gratification. Something like eating a piece of candy or allowing yourself sometime to text back your friend. This method also requires discipline. Teaching yourself discipline is much harder than it sounds. For example, if you're using candy as an incentive to keep reading, the candy can't be right next to you. If it's as simple as just reaching into your pocket to have you're next piece, then you're not rewarding yourself. So you might try putting your candy in the hands of a friend or sibling. Making them verify that you read your 10 pages before they gave it to you. This makes the accomplishment better and more motivating.

As far as absorbing information goes, this is a lot tougher. I would recommend reading slower, especially if you find yourself needing to re-read passages because you can't remember what you just read. Additionally, try reading out loud. Sometimes reading out loud triggers and auditory response that encourages more absorption. If you can't absorb the material because you can't understand it, I recommend breaking down the passage by sentences and figuring out how each sentence relates before moving forward. This way you can see the smaller pictures before getting the bigger pictures. If you're a visual learner, also try writing down what you've read. Sometimes it helps to see it in your own handwriting because it's not a continuous blur of Times New Roman font.