Effective Reading Program For Mental Growth. How To Read? [2024]

Learning as a whole process:

Are you learning the right way? Is your reading effective? Or are you getting the most out of the books you are reading every day? If not, then you should follow few techniques of effective reading program discussed below. Gradually apply all these techniques in your learning process and you will see the changes in your learning outcomes.

Most importantly, reading should help in your overall development and broaden your perspective and understanding. If you are not getting any of these results than reading means little even if you finish multiple books. So, for this you need to adopt the right approach and read efficiently. There are the 4 steps of effective reading program that I will be discussing below. You need to follow these steps for a complete effective reading program. If you keep applying these strategies in your learning process, you will notice gradual improvements.

Step 1: Read One Good Book Each Week.

[Just to help you start off with basic reading for the effective reading program.]

Start off with simple reading. First step is to read books. Pick up any book you prefer and finish it within a week. Make sure to read at least one book each week if you can. [Here, I would suggest you to avoid comics, manga etc. and read a proper book.] If you have trouble reading one medium length book per week then choose a book written in simple language. Also a book which is around 100-150 pages. The reason is that you might be a student, a complete beginner or a working professional who can barely manage time to read. As a result you may struggle to maintain the routine.

Another interesting reason is that in the beginning when you are just starting with this efficient reading program i.e. developing reading habit or simply learning, it is slightly difficult to retain attention for a long span of time. Also there are social medias and other distractions as well. So, in this stage it is important to read a book of small length. Later, increase the book length according to your strength.

Now, I will tell you how choosing a book with small length will help you when you are just a beginner. Finishing up multiple small books will help you psychologically. It will help you increase your confidence and give you a mental and psychological boost. Sounds weird? But it’s not!

Have you ever noticed that you may often feel stuck with a book of long length as it takes too long to finish. You may falsely assume that you are not reading enough. Though it may not be true, it can affect your confidence. On the other hand even if you are reading the same number of pages but multiple books, you will feel more encouraged to read even though the number of pages are the same. Because you are counting the number of books you have read. 

Most importantly, in the beginning just take it easy. You don’t have to necessarily finish one book each week, just keep your target and try to do it gradually. After some time it will become easy for you. Building up an effective reading program routine for your mental growth takes time and patience.

Step 2: Read a Newspaper or a News Magazine.

[For making yourself aware of the current events, facts, and improving the basic knowledge about the happenings of the world around you.]

The next task is to read a newspaper or a monthly news magazine. At this stage the focus should be more on focusing on the facts.

I will suggest you to read newspaper daily instead of a monthly news magazine. The reason is that a newspaper regularly informs us about the most current developments on a diverse range of topics, which we refer as “current affairs”. From the name itself you can understand why is it called so? Today an incident takes place and tomorrow you may get the news. Daily news reading keeps you updated on the most recent development of an incident or topic. On top of that you won’t have to make any extra effort to remember facts mindlessly unlike a monthly magazine.

On the contrary, a news magazine generally comes once in a month which compiles all the news events after the end of the month and you will know the news the next month when it gets published. Now, doesn’t it sound so odd? You are supposed to be aware of the daily events, current affairs on a daily basis; not only as a reader but also as an aware citizen of any country!

Rather than simply cramming all the information at the end of the month you should read relevant news everyday little by little. Thus it will be easier for you to remember crucial facts and also you will be more interested to follow up the events without feeling burdened by the information.

Step 3: Read Articles, Books or Magazines of Comments & Interpretations.

[For increasing your analytical skill, reading between the lines and understanding the diverse perspectives.]

Now once the reading is going on smoothly, you should start reading books/magazines/articles of comments and interpretations. Reading these would increase your ability to read between the lines resulting in improved analytical skill. This steps is the most crucial steps in the entire effective reading program.

In the “step 2” you simply read the newspapers or news magazine to make yourself aware of the happenings around the world or the pressing issues we are all facing, in addition to simply remembering the broad information or facts. You only read the facts, information as it is without any critical interpretation. But, now in this step you will try to interpret those topics using information or facts and form a conclusion of your own. This is the step where you will be cultivating your mind and will be able to form your own opinions, values which in turn will shape your personality.

If you prefer reading news articles then read only the “editorial section” of the newspaper as in this section comments and interpretations on various topic are generally found. In case you prefer reading magazine then focus on opinions and opposing views.

You may notice often in such magazines you will come across articles written in favor of or against a particular topic. For example: ‘AI and its revolutionary contribution’ vs ‘the danger of AI and intellectual property’.

Read both of them. Use a pencil and underline the opposing views the writers are presenting. When it’s done, ask yourself which argument did you like the most. Which article has presented more strong argument, notice it. When you read such opposing views it helps you in evaluating your own views and help you see things from both perspectives. When you can see things from various perspective you will form more inclusive and balanced views which will be beneficial in long term. This is the most crucial step for the effective reading program.

Step 4: Write Book Reviews or Summarize Books You Have Read.

[For evaluating what you have learnt and understood so far.]

In the final step, write a book review. If you don’t want to write a book review you can simply write a summery on the book you have read.

Follow the standard book review structure while writing a book review. You may also write a summery but with a critical analysis at the end of it. First write few lines intro about the book, the author, what is the book about and why did you like it. Then write a brief summery of the book. When it’s done, in the next paragraph write some critical comment or your views of your own. Then draw a conclusion. The critical views, comments section should reflect your grasp on the critical understanding. This type of practice will also help you improve your writing skill in the long term.

Reading enriches your understanding. It’s not merely a bunch of facts to be memorized. It also need to be understood. The more you read and diversify it the more your perspective gets wider. Opposing views help you evaluate your own views and polish it or even help you find the faults in our own views. Ultimately, it enriches our own consciousness and soul. It will shape us the way we would become in future. It makes us able to recognize what is fair or unfair which in turn will help us to protect and defend what we deem universally important for all humanity.

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