Study skills· 4 min read
How to Read and Remember More (Active Reading)
Reading something once rarely makes it stick. Active reading — engaging with the text instead of passively scanning it — dramatically improves how much you remember.
The SQ3R method
A classic, reliable active-reading routine.
- •Survey: skim headings, summaries, and bold terms first.
- •Question: turn each heading into a question.
- •Read: read to answer those questions.
- •Recite: say or write the answer in your own words without looking.
- •Review: revisit your notes later to lock it in.
Quick habits that help
Pause at the end of each section and summarise it in one sentence. Explain tricky parts aloud as if teaching. Both turn reading into active recall, which is what builds memory.
Frequently asked questions
What is active reading?
Engaging with a text by questioning, summarising, and recalling it — rather than passively running your eyes over the words.
What does SQ3R stand for?
Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review — a five-step active reading method.