How to Remember Everything You Study (Including this): The Read, Write, Draw, Read Method

Learn how a Neurodivergent 12-year-old developed his own method of learning to help him pass the 7^th grade on his second attempt, which had an incredible live changing effect on his life and learning.  

How to Remember Everything You Study (Including this): The Read, Write, Draw, Read Method

When I was 12, I failed the 7th grade due to an undiagnosed learning disability: ADHD, OCD, and Test Anxiety. The humiliation and disappointment for me were real, but what came out of that failure was something incredible - a paradigm shift in how I studied and learned. My determination to overcome my learning disabilities led me to a powerful self-realization: conventional methods of study were not effective for me. From this mindset, I created the “Read, Write, Draw, Read” study method to help me learn more efficiently. Yes, the title is a mouth full, but give me a break, I was 12 years old. 😉

Today, I'd like to share this method with the hope of helping my readers take actionable steps to improve their own learning capabilities and study habits or to help a loved one with neurodivergence learning preferences.

Here’s my breakdown of the Read, Write, Draw, Read Method from the mind of a 12-year-old failure.

1. Read: Start by immersing yourself in the subject. Read all the material available - textbooks, reference books, online articles, anything, and everything. Don't rush to memorize, but instead aim to understand the big picture. Highlight key points, gather facts, and soak in the overall context. You're not aiming to be test-ready at this stage, but you're certainly laying a solid foundation. (Impact on Educational Quotient: 7/10)

2. Write: Once you have read and highlighted key points, rewrite these points in your own words. This is not copying but a form of processing the information and framing it in a way that makes sense to you. This process allows for a deeper engagement with the material, making it more likely to stick. (Impact on Educational Quotient: 8/10)

3. Draw: For every concept, create a simple visual aid. It doesn't have to be a Picasso masterpiece, but a simple sketch that encapsulates the essence of the idea. These visuals create mental hooks that enhance recall. For example, if you're studying about the Constitution, draw a building representing the Congress and a scroll symbolizing the Constitution. (Impact on Educational Quotient: 9/10)

4. Read: Finally, read your notes, and try to associate each idea with its corresponding visual. This final step solidifies your understanding and etches the information deeper into your memory. (Impact on Educational Quotient: 9/10)

5. Bonus Method - Teach It: This is not part of my original method, however by teaching the material it will become locked in your memory leading to a much higher level of recall. (Impact on Educational Quotient: 10/10)

Ok, I realize this method demands more effort and commitment than the usual read-and-repeat approach. But for those like me, who find traditional methods less effective, the Read, Write, Draw, Read (Teach) method might be the game-changer you are looking for.

Weekly Growth Tip: Try applying this method to a single topic or a chapter to start with. Gauge its effectiveness for you before deciding to implement it for your entire study schedule. Remember, studying is not a one-size-fits-all process, and the goal here is to find what fits you best.

Remember, growth is not about perfection; it's about progression. It's not about avoiding failures but learning from them and turning them into steppingstones for success. Keep growing, keep learning, and keep evolving your methods until you find the one that works best for you. I hope this helps.

I did a post on this topic as one of my LinkedIn carousels this past week and was flooded with some excellent responses from my readers. Here are some of the more noteworthy.

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