Read and Remember

For all book lovers September is a month of joy. They can visit bookshops and the International Book Exhibition and buy books at bargain prices. But do not confine your visits to bookshops only for this month. You must cultivate the habit of visiting bookshops at regular intervals and buying books that interest you.

It is unfortunate to note that so many of us read numerous books, newspapers and periodicals, but fail to remember what we read. The fault lies not in the reader but in his method of reading. The average reader finds that he cannot remember what he reads.

Students have to read so many text books and they finally complain that they remember very little of what they read. If they do not receive proper guidance from parents and teachers, they might to turn to something else which is less demanding.

Many of us know that reading is a good habit that can be cultivated by any literate person. However, we do not seem to be aware that remembering is also a habit that can be cultivated and developed.

For those who eternally complain that they cannot remember anything, September is an auspicious month to cultivate the habit of remembering. This may be difficult at the beginning but it becomes plain sailing after a few attempts.

Mothers, more than fathers, usually remember dates of birth of their children and other important family events quite easily. The reasoning can be quite easily explained. Children's dates of birth and other events have made a deep impression on their minds.

Similarly, we remember details of interesting subjects. For instance, a film buff can read a book on cinema and remember all the facts. However, he may find it difficult to do so if he is compelled to read a book on Logic or Chemistry. So the first rule of remembering is to be interested in what you read.

Some people have the habit of reading books on various subjects. Sometimes they read them to while away the time. One day when I was browsing through some books at a leading bookshop in Nugegoda, a hefty man with dyed hair walked in and asked for "any book" for leisure reading.

The shop assistant immediately gave him a big pulp fiction which cost him Rs. 950. Such people never read anything for a purpose. They want to read some book and kill time. What is more they do not want to remember what they read.

If you read a book with a purpose, you can easily remember the facts. Students preparing for examinations read and easily remember the important points. Even if you are not reading to sit an examination, you can find some purpose.

The purposes can be different from person to person. For instance, if you want to speak and write good English, you can read a grammar book with absorbing interest. Otherwise, reading a grammar book would be a boring task.

It is a fact that if you do not understand what you read, you cannot remember anything. When you do not understand a word, a phrase or a sentence, do not skip over it. Speak to someone knowledgeable or look up a standard dictionary. Knowledge comes only for those who seek it.

It is also a good habit to read the contents first and then read the book. most text books come with a glossary. So the content page, the glossary and the index are of immense benefit to readers.

The content page is like a map that shows where particular points lie. Therefore if a book comes without a contents page, it is a substandard production.

Do not start reading a book from page one without first skimming through it. This should be done rapidly without wasting much time. This will give you a rough idea about the subject. Then read the book once without paying attention to difficult words and numerous footnotes.

Almost all good books must be read more than once. If you read a book several times, you stand to benefit. For a beginner, reading can be painful at the beginning. But the pleasures of reading that come at the end will be rewarding.

Another method of remembering important facts of a book is to underline them with a pencil or to copy them on a separate sheet of paper. If the book belongs to you write recall clues and other notes on the margin. Read them whenever you are free. These marginal notes have helped many a student to pass examinations.

Finally, trust your memory! Never say, "I have a week memory" or "I can't remember things." Instead, tell yourself, "I have a superb memory. I can remember anything I read."