Reading and understanding quickly is essential for success in school. Many students, however, find it difficult. You may have trouble concentrating when studying alone, be easily distracted, or struggle with STEM subjects. Sometimes, concepts don’t stick, and some subjects feel boring. Worse, poor comprehension can result in lower grades, making it difficult to pursue your dream career.

The good news is that you can improve your reading speed and comprehension with smart strategies. This guide will show you how.

Why Reading and Understanding Quickly Matters

If you can read and understand faster, you will save time, remember more information, and feel more confident in class and exams. Learning should not be about cramming but about truly understanding concepts. Mastering this skill will help you excel in subjects you struggle with and improve your grades.

How to Read and Understand Quickly

1. Find a Quiet, Distraction-Free Space

Your environment affects how well you focus. If you get distracted easily, choose a quiet place for studying. Turn off notifications and stay away from social media. If silence makes you restless, try listening to soft instrumental music.

2. Use Active Reading Techniques

Simply staring at words will not help you understand them. Instead, engage with what you read:

• Highlight key points: Use a highlighter or underline important information.
• Summarise in your own words: After reading a paragraph, pause and explain it in simple terms.
• Ask questions: Think of questions like “Why is this important?” or “How does this relate to what I already know?”

3. Break Down Complex Subjects

STEM subjects can be confusing, but breaking them into smaller parts helps:

• For maths, focus on understanding one step at a time before moving to the next.
• For science, relate concepts to real-life examples. For instance, when learning about friction, think of how your shoes grip the ground when you walk.
• Use visual aids: Diagrams, charts, and videos can make learning easier and more engaging.

4. Improve Your Vocabulary

Sometimes, the difficulty in understanding a passage is due to unfamiliar words. When you come across new words:

• Look up their meanings immediately.
• Write them down in a notebook.
• Use them in sentences to help remember them.

5. Practise Speed Reading

Reading faster while maintaining comprehension is a skill that improves with practice:

• Use your finger or a pen to guide your eyes as you read. This reduces backtracking.
• Increase your reading speed gradually by timing yourself and challenging yourself to improve.
• Avoid sub-vocalisation (reading aloud in your head). Try skimming through words while focusing on key points.

6. Revise with Smart Techniques

Understanding quickly is one thing, but remembering information is just as important:

• Use mnemonics: Memory tricks like “BODMAS” for maths operations make learning easier.
• Teach someone else: Explaining a concept to a friend or sibling helps you remember it better.
• Practise with quizzes: Test yourself regularly to reinforce what you’ve learned.

Make Learning Fun and Engaging

Subjects you find boring can become interesting if you change how you learn:

• Use learning apps like the uLesson app, which offers video lessons that explain concepts in a fun and simple way.
• Turn study time into a game by rewarding yourself when you complete a task.
• Study in short sessions with breaks in between to keep your brain fresh.

Also, not having teachers or parents available to help with homework or difficult questions during study sessions can be frustrating. But you don’t have to struggle alone. uLesson’s AI-powered Homework Help is available 24/7 to provide instant explanations for difficult concepts.

Conclusion

Reading and understanding quickly is a skill you can develop with the right techniques. By creating a good study environment, using active reading strategies, improving your vocabulary, and practising smart revision techniques, you can improve comprehension and boost your grades.

Learning doesn’t have to be stressful—with the uLesson app, you can make studying interactive, fun, and effective. Download the uLesson app today and start learning smarter!