Many of us were taught how to read in elementary school and never gave it a second thought. We assume our ability to comprehend is fixed—you’re either a “good reader” or you’re not. The truth is that high-level comprehension is a trainable skill, just like any other professional competency. If you struggle with focus, retention, or understanding complex material, it’s because you haven’t been taught the right techniques. This article moves beyond basic tips and provides a clear framework of strategies to improve reading comprehension for adults, showing you how to actively engage with texts and make new knowledge truly your own.
Key Takeaways
- Intentional preparation sets the stage for deep focus: Before you read a single word, create a mental roadmap by scanning headings and define your purpose for reading. This simple warm-up primes your brain to absorb information more effectively.
- Engage with the text like a conversation: Don’t just let words wash over you. Actively question the material, summarize key ideas in your own words as you go, and create mental images to make abstract concepts stick.
- Retention is an active process that happens after you read: To ensure new knowledge sticks, test yourself by recalling the main points without looking at the text. Explaining the concepts to someone else is one of the most powerful ways to lock in your understanding.
What Is Reading Comprehension (And Why It Matters for Adults)
What Is Reading Comprehension (And Why It Matters for Adults)
Have you ever finished a page in a book, only to realize you have no idea what you just read? Your eyes scanned the words, but your mind was somewhere else entirely. This common experience highlights the gap between simply seeing words and truly understanding them. That gap is where reading comprehension lives. It’s the active process of extracting meaning, making connections, and actually learning from a text.
For ambitious adults, strengthening reading comprehension isn’t just about getting through a book faster; it’s about upgrading your ability to learn, innovate, and lead. It’s a foundational skill that impacts everything from your professional growth to your personal development. When you can absorb and retain complex information with ease, you gain a significant edge in your career and a deeper satisfaction from your intellectual pursuits. Let’s break down what comprehension really is and why it’s so crucial for high-performers.
Defining Reading Comprehension
At its core, reading comprehension is the ability to understand and interpret what you read. It goes far beyond simply decoding words on a page. Think of it as a conversation with the text. You’re not just passively receiving information; you’re actively engaging with it. This process involves connecting new ideas to your existing knowledge, asking questions as you go, and drawing your own conclusions.
True comprehension means you can not only summarize what you’ve read but also explain its significance and apply its concepts. It’s the difference between knowing a fact and understanding the system it belongs to. This is a dynamic skill, not a fixed talent. With the right strategies and consistent practice, anyone can train their brain to process written information more deeply and effectively.
The Professional and Personal Payoff
So, why focus on this as an adult? Because strong comprehension is a direct path to higher performance in nearly every area of your life. Professionally, it means you can master complex reports, stay ahead of industry trends, and make better-informed decisions—all while saving valuable time. You stop re-reading the same paragraph five times and start absorbing critical information on the first pass. This efficiency is a game-changer for entrepreneurs, executives, and anyone looking to accelerate their career.
Personally, the rewards are just as significant. It transforms reading from a passive hobby into a powerful tool for growth. You can finally tackle dense non-fiction, learn new skills with confidence, and retain what you learn for the long term. This leads to sharper critical thinking, better communication, and a genuine sense of intellectual fulfillment. Mastering comprehension is an investment in your own mental performance.
Why You Might Struggle to Comprehend What You Read
Ever finish a page, or even a whole chapter, only to realize you have no idea what you just read? It’s a frustratingly common experience, and it has nothing to do with your intelligence. True comprehension is a complex mental process, and several specific roadblocks can get in the way. Understanding these challenges is the first step toward building a more effective reading practice. Let’s look at the four most common reasons you might struggle to absorb and retain information.
Mental Distractions and the Myth of Multitasking
Our brains are constantly pulled in a dozen different directions by notifications, emails, and an ever-present to-do list. We’ve been conditioned to believe that multitasking is a sign of productivity, but it’s actually one of the biggest enemies of deep comprehension. When you try to read while half-listening to a podcast or keeping an eye on your inbox, your focus becomes fragmented. Your brain isn’t truly absorbing the material; it’s just skimming the surface. This cognitive overload makes it nearly impossible to build the mental connections needed to understand and remember complex ideas. True focus is a skill, and it requires intentionally shutting out distractions.
Gaps in Background Knowledge
Your brain understands new information by connecting it to what you already know. Think of your existing knowledge as a mental filing cabinet. When you read about a familiar topic, you can easily file the new facts into the right drawers. But when you tackle a subject you know little about, you have no existing framework to organize the information. This is why diving into a dense text on quantum physics or financial derivatives can feel so overwhelming if you don’t have the foundational knowledge. This doesn’t mean the topic is beyond you; it just means you may need to build some background knowledge first to create those mental hooks for new concepts to stick to.
Ineffective Reading Habits
For many of us, reading is a passive activity. We let our eyes scan the words and hope the meaning sinks in on its own. This often leads to re-reading the same paragraph multiple times without any real progress. Effective reading, however, is an active sport. It means engaging with the text by asking questions, making predictions, and connecting ideas as you go. If your current approach isn’t working, it’s likely because you haven’t been taught the right techniques. Simply putting in more hours with the same passive habits won’t yield better results. Shifting to an active reading strategy is essential for turning words on a page into lasting knowledge.
Learning and Processing Differences
Sometimes, the struggle to comprehend comes from the unique way your brain is wired. Conditions like ADHD can make it challenging to maintain focus, stay interested in the material, and catch important details. If you find your mind wandering constantly or feel an overwhelming urge to stop reading, it’s not a reflection of your discipline or desire to learn. It’s simply a different processing style. Recognizing this allows you to stop fighting against your brain and start working with it. Many successful professionals and academics with learning differences find that specific strategies, like breaking text into smaller chunks or using auditory tools, make a world of difference.
Think of a top-tier athlete before a big game. They don’t just run onto the field; they warm up, visualize the plays, and get into the right headspace. Reading for high-level comprehension requires a similar approach. What you do in the few minutes before you open a book or a report can dramatically change how much you absorb and retain. It’s the difference between passively letting words wash over you and actively engaging with the material to extract exactly what you need.
This mental warm-up isn’t complicated or time-consuming. It’s about creating a structure in your mind before you start filling it with new information. By building this framework first, you give new ideas a place to land, making them easier to understand, connect, and remember. The following three steps are simple habits that prime your brain for peak performance. They help you switch from a state of distraction to one of focused attention, ensuring you get the most out of every single page.
Preview and Scan for a Mental Roadmap
Before you read the first sentence, give yourself 60 seconds to get the lay of the land. Don’t just dive in. Instead, scan the material to create a mental roadmap. Look at the title, headings, and subheadings. Read the introduction and conclusion. Glance at any images, charts, or bolded text. This quick preview gives your brain a high-level overview of the content, so you know what to expect. It’s like looking at a map before you start a journey. You understand the main points and how they connect, which makes the process of absorbing the details much smoother and more efficient. These kinds of effective reading strategies help reduce mental effort later on.
Set a Clear Intention for Reading
Ask yourself one simple question before you begin: “What do I want to get out of this?” Your answer sets a clear purpose for your reading session and directs your focus. Are you reading a business report to find three key data points for a presentation? Are you studying a chapter to understand a core concept for an exam? Or are you reading a book for personal growth and inspiration? Defining your goal turns reading from a passive activity into an active mission. Your intention acts as a filter, helping your brain automatically identify and prioritize the most relevant information, so you don’t get lost in the details.
Activate What You Already Know
Your brain learns best when it can connect new information to something it already understands. Before you start reading, take a moment to activate your prior knowledge. Ask yourself, “What do I already know about this topic?” or “How does this relate to my own experiences?” This simple act primes your brain by pulling relevant information to the forefront of your mind. It’s like opening the right file folder before adding a new document. By doing this, you create mental “hooks” where new concepts can attach, which significantly improves both your understanding and your ability to retain information long-term.
How to Actively Engage With Any Text
Passive reading is one of the biggest barriers to comprehension. When your eyes glide over the words without your mind fully processing them, you might finish a chapter and have no idea what you just read. The solution is to shift from being a passive observer to an active participant. Active engagement means you’re interacting with the material—questioning it, summarizing it, and connecting it to what you already know. This mental dialogue turns reading into a dynamic process, making it much easier to understand and remember complex information. The following strategies are designed to help you build that habit of active engagement, transforming how you approach any text, from a dense business report to a challenging book.
Ask Better Questions as You Read
Treat reading like a conversation. Instead of just receiving information, constantly ask questions to guide your focus and deepen your understanding. As you finish a paragraph or section, pause and ask yourself, “What is the single most important idea here?” or “What did I just learn that I didn’t know before?” A powerful technique is to pretend you have to explain the concept to a colleague or friend. If you can’t articulate it clearly in your own words, that’s a signal to go back and reread that part. This simple self-check forces your brain to process the material on a deeper level, moving beyond simple recognition of words to true comprehension.
Take Notes That Actually Work
Effective note-taking is more than just highlighting a few sentences. It’s about creating a record of your thinking as you read. As you go, jot down notes in the margins or a separate notebook. Focus on capturing main ideas, defining new terms, and noting any connections you make to your own experiences or knowledge. A great practice is to summarize each chapter or major section in one or two sentences. This act of paraphrasing forces you to distill the information down to its core, which is a key test of your understanding. Your notes become a personalized guide to the text, making it easier to review and recall key points later.
Use Visualization and Mental Imagery
Your brain is wired to process images far more efficiently than abstract text. Use this to your advantage by consciously creating mental pictures of what you’re reading. If you’re reading about a historical event, imagine the scene playing out like a movie. If you’re working through a complex business process, visualize a flowchart or diagram in your mind. This technique engages multiple senses and parts of your brain, creating stronger neural pathways for memory and recall. By turning words on a page into a vivid mental experience, you build a much richer and more lasting understanding of the material.
Break Down Text into Manageable Chunks
Facing a 50-page report or a dense textbook chapter can feel overwhelming, causing your brain to shut down before you even start. Instead of trying to tackle it all at once, break the reading into smaller, more manageable segments. Try using a time-based method like the Pomodoro Technique, where you read with intense focus for 25 minutes and then take a short break. This approach prevents mental fatigue and makes the task feel less daunting. By giving your brain regular intervals to rest and consolidate information, you can maintain a high level of focus and comprehension from start to finish.
How to Build Your Vocabulary for Better Comprehension
Encountering an unfamiliar word can feel like hitting a wall in the middle of a sentence. It breaks your flow, disrupts your focus, and can completely derail your understanding of a complex idea. While it’s tempting to just skip over these words, a limited vocabulary is one of the biggest barriers to deep comprehension, especially when you’re tackling dense business reports, academic papers, or industry-specific articles.
Building your vocabulary isn’t about memorizing endless dictionary lists. It’s about developing a strategic approach to learning new words as you encounter them in your reading. When you can quickly and accurately figure out what a word means without losing momentum, you not only grasp the author’s point more clearly but also strengthen your ability to retain the information. Think of it as adding new tools to your mental toolkit—each new word you master makes you a more efficient and effective reader. The following methods will help you turn unfamiliar words from obstacles into opportunities for growth.
Use Context Clues to Define Words
Instead of immediately reaching for a dictionary, try playing detective first. The surrounding words and sentences often hold powerful hints about a word’s meaning. This practice of using context clues is one of the most efficient ways to expand your vocabulary without interrupting your reading rhythm. Look for synonyms, antonyms, or examples in the nearby text that might shed light on the unfamiliar term. For instance, if you read, “He was known for his garrulous nature, talking nonstop at every meeting,” you can infer that “garrulous” means talkative. Developing this skill allows you to learn on the fly and maintain your focus on the bigger picture.
Recognize Word Roots and Patterns
Many complex English words are built from smaller, reusable parts: prefixes, suffixes, and roots, often from Latin or Greek. Learning to recognize these components can help you deconstruct and understand new words instantly. For example, if you know that “bene-” means good (like in “benefit”) and “dict” means to speak (like in “dictate”), you can make an educated guess that “benediction” is a good or well-spoken blessing. This approach turns vocabulary building into a pattern-recognition game. By understanding these fundamental word roots, you equip yourself to decipher thousands of related words you haven’t even encountered yet.
Create a Personal Vocabulary System
To truly own a new word, you need to do more than just look it up. Creating a system to capture and review new vocabulary is essential for moving words from your short-term to your long-term memory. This can be as simple as a dedicated notebook, a spreadsheet, or a flashcard app on your phone. For each new word, write down its definition in your own words, the sentence where you found it, and then try to use it in a new sentence of your own. This active engagement makes the meaning stick. Consistent use of these vocabulary development strategies reinforces learning and makes you more likely to recognize and use the word correctly in the future.
After You Read: How to Retain What You’ve Learned
Finishing a book or an important report can feel like a major accomplishment, but the real work begins after you’ve turned the last page. Reading without retaining is like eating without digesting—you go through the motions, but you don’t get any of the nutrients. The goal isn’t just to get through the material, but to make the key ideas a part of your working knowledge so you can apply them in your career and life. This is where comprehension transforms into true understanding.
Fortunately, you don’t need a photographic memory to hold onto what you read. Retention is a skill, not an innate gift. It involves a conscious effort to engage with the material even after you’ve closed the book. You just need a few simple, effective strategies to help your brain process and store the information for the long term. The following techniques move you from being a passive consumer of words to an active learner. By putting these into practice, you’ll start building a stronger mental library of the concepts that matter most to your personal and professional growth. These methods are designed to be straightforward, so you can start using them with the very next thing you read.
Summarize and Explain It to Someone Else
One of the most powerful ways to solidify your understanding is to process the information and then explain it in your own words. After you finish a chapter or a significant section, take a moment to write a one-paragraph summary. Don’t just copy the author’s phrases; translate the core concepts into your own language.
An even better approach is to explain the idea to someone else. Grab a friend, a partner, or a colleague and say, “I just read the most interesting thing. Here’s the main idea…” This practice, often called the Feynman Technique, forces you to simplify complex topics and identify any gaps in your own understanding. If you can’t explain it simply, you probably haven’t fully grasped it yet.
Test Yourself and Reflect on Key Ideas
Active recall is the process of deliberately retrieving information from your memory, and it’s far more effective for learning than passively re-reading your notes. After you finish reading, put the material away and ask yourself a few questions. What were the three most important takeaways? What argument was the author making? How did this chapter build on the previous one?
Jot down your answers without looking at the text. This isn’t a formal exam; it’s a low-stakes way to check what actually stuck. This simple act of self-testing strengthens the neural pathways associated with the new information, making it easier to access later. It also shows you exactly which points you might need to review one more time.
Connect New Information to What You Know
Your brain doesn’t store new facts in a vacuum. It learns best by linking new information to your existing knowledge. As you read, constantly ask yourself: How does this relate to my own experiences? Does this confirm or challenge something I already believe? Where have I seen a similar concept before? By building these mental bridges, you give the new information a place to live inside your mind.
This is a foundational principle of many advanced learning systems. When you connect a new business strategy to a project you managed last year, or a historical event to a current news story, you create a rich, interconnected web of knowledge. This makes the information more meaningful and much easier to remember. You can experience how these deeper learning methods work by trying a free lesson in brain-centric reading.
How to Create Your Ideal Reading Environment
Your environment plays a huge role in how well you absorb information. Think of it as setting the stage for your brain to perform at its best. A chaotic space can lead to a scattered mind, while a calm, intentional environment supports deep focus. Creating this space doesn’t require a complete makeover; it just takes a few strategic adjustments to your surroundings, your comfort, and your reading materials.
Eliminate Digital and Physical Distractions
Let’s be honest: our digital devices are the biggest culprits when it comes to derailing focus. Research consistently shows that multitasking hinders performance and learning. That constant stream of notifications and the temptation of open tabs can fragment your attention. To combat this, try a digital detox during your reading time. Put your phone on silent and place it in another room. Use a browser extension to block distracting sites, and close all unrelated tabs. Physical clutter can be just as disruptive. A messy desk can lead to a messy mind, so take two minutes to clear your space before you begin. A quiet environment is also key for deep reading.
Optimize Your Lighting and Comfort
Your physical comfort directly impacts your mental endurance. Reading in a poorly lit room can cause eye strain and headaches, making it difficult to concentrate for long periods. Position yourself near a window for natural light, or use a dedicated reading lamp that illuminates the page without causing glare. Your posture matters, too. Find a comfortable, supportive chair that helps you sit upright. While curling up on the sofa sounds cozy, it can sometimes signal to your brain that it’s time to nap. If you feel your focus waning, don’t just push through it. Try changing your location. Moving from your desk to a different chair or even standing up for a few minutes can refresh your mind and make it easier to re-engage with the text.
Choose Between Print and Digital Screens
The debate between print and digital is ongoing, and the best choice often comes down to personal preference and the material itself. For dense or complex texts, many people find that a physical copy helps them focus better. Holding a book eliminates the possibility of digital distractions and allows for a more tactile experience. If you’re reading an article online, consider if printing it out would improve your understanding. If you prefer reading on a screen, be mindful of digital eye strain. Use features like dark mode, adjust the brightness, and make a point to look away from the screen every 20 minutes. E-readers with e-ink screens are also a great option, as they are designed to mimic the appearance of paper and reduce glare.
Tools and Resources to Sharpen Your Comprehension
Knowing the strategies is one thing, but having the right tools can make all the difference in your practice. If you’re ready to get serious about improving your comprehension, these resources provide the structure and exercises you need to build stronger reading skills. Think of this as your personal gym for your brain—each tool works a different muscle to help you process information more effectively.
Reading Genius Brain Training and Techniques
Improving your reading comprehension is a skill that develops with consistent practice, not an overnight fix. While simply reading more helps, a structured program designed to retrain your brain is the most direct path to seeing real results. The Reading Genius system uses specialized brain training and techniques like summarization and questioning to fundamentally change how you process text. Instead of just passively scanning words, you’ll learn to actively engage with the material, which is the key to deeper understanding and better memory retention.
Text-to-Speech Software for Auditory Learning
If you’re an auditory learner, you might find that you absorb information better when you hear it. Text-to-speech (TTS) software can be a fantastic tool for this. By having your computer or phone read a text aloud while you follow along with your eyes, you engage both your visual and auditory senses. This dual-channel learning can significantly reinforce the material and make complex ideas click. Many web browsers have built-in “read aloud” functions, and dedicated apps like Speechify or NaturalReader are also great options to try.
GRE Prep Books for Practice Exercises
You don’t have to be studying for the GRE to benefit from its study materials. Exam prep books are packed with dense passages and targeted questions designed to test your understanding. Working through these valuable reading comprehension exercises is a great way to practice identifying main ideas, making inferences, and understanding an author’s tone. The best part is that they always include answer keys with explanations, so you can immediately check your work and learn from your mistakes.
Academic Coaching for Structured Support
If you thrive with more personalized guidance, working with an academic coach or joining a reading workshop can provide the structure you need. These experts can offer tailored strategies based on your specific challenges and goals. A coach can help you identify weak spots you might not see on your own and provide accountability to keep you on track. Check with local universities or learning centers, as many offer these services to the public. It’s a great option for getting expert feedback on your progress.
How to Overcome Common Reading Challenges
Even the most accomplished readers run into challenges. Whether it’s a dense report that makes your eyes glaze over or the simple struggle to stay focused after a long day, these hurdles are normal. The key isn’t to avoid them but to have a toolkit of strategies ready to go. With a few simple adjustments, you can work through difficult texts, absorb more of what you read, and find a better balance between speed and understanding.
Manage Reading Fatigue and Stay Focused
When your mind starts to wander, it’s a sign to change your approach, not to give up. If you find your eyes jumping ahead or re-reading the same line without absorbing it, try using a piece of paper or an index card to cover the lines below the one you’re reading. This simple trick forces you to focus on one line at a time. Another effective strategy is to break your reading into short, manageable bursts. Instead of trying to power through for an hour, plan to read for just 15 minutes. This can make the task feel less overwhelming and help you maintain concentration when your energy is limited.
Tackle Dense Technical or Business Material
Facing a complex document can feel intimidating, but a little prep work makes a huge difference. Before you dive in, take a minute to preview the text. Scan the headings, subheadings, bolded words, and any charts or images. This gives you a mental map of the content and helps you grasp the main ideas before you get lost in the details. As you read, practice summarizing each paragraph in a single word or short phrase. If you can’t do it, that’s your cue to re-read the section before moving on. This method of active reading ensures you’re engaging with the material, not just letting your eyes pass over the words.
Balance Reading Speed with Deep Understanding
Many people believe they have to choose between reading quickly and reading deeply, but the two aren’t mutually exclusive. The goal is to develop a flexible reading pace that you can adapt to different types of material. For any text that matters, the key is to stop and think. Pause after a paragraph or a key section to reflect on what you just read. Ask yourself: What is the main point here? How does this connect to what I already know? This simple habit of pausing to reflect solidifies your understanding and dramatically improves retention. True reading mastery isn’t just about speed; it’s about processing information efficiently and effectively.
Make It a Habit: How to Practice Consistently
Knowing the right techniques is one thing, but turning them into lasting habits is where the real transformation happens. Improving your reading comprehension is like strengthening a muscle—it requires consistent, focused effort over time. The good news is that this doesn’t mean you need to carve out hours from your already busy schedule. Instead, it’s about integrating small, powerful practices into your daily life until they become second nature.
The key is to shift your mindset from “I need to finish this book” to “I will practice active reading for 15 minutes.” This approach builds momentum and rewires your brain for deeper focus and understanding. By creating a system for your practice, you remove the friction and decision-making that often get in the way of progress. Let’s look at a few simple ways to build a sustainable reading habit that sticks.
Set Realistic Goals and Track Your Progress
If your goal is simply to “get better at reading,” it can feel vague and impossible to measure. Instead, set small, specific, and achievable targets. Improving your reading comprehension is a skill that develops with practice, not a quick fix. You might start with a goal to read one industry article each day and write a three-sentence summary, or to read a chapter of a book without your phone in the room. These small wins build confidence and create a positive feedback loop. Keep a simple journal or a note on your phone to track your progress. Seeing how far you’ve come is a powerful motivator to keep going.
Build a Daily Reading Routine
Consistency trumps intensity every time. It’s far more effective to read for 15 focused minutes each day than for two hours once a week. A short, manageable session feels less intimidating, making it easier to start and stick with. The best way to ensure this happens is to link your reading time to an existing habit. For example, you could read while you drink your morning coffee, during your commute on the train, or for 15 minutes right before you go to sleep. By anchoring your reading to an established part of your day, you put the habit on autopilot.
Find a Discussion Group for Accountability
One of the most effective ways to solidify your understanding of a text is to explain it to someone else. This simple act forces you to organize your thoughts, identify the main points, and articulate them clearly. Joining a book club or even starting an informal discussion group with a friend or colleague provides a perfect forum for this. This external accountability makes you more likely to complete your reading, and hearing others’ perspectives can reveal insights you might have missed on your own. You can find groups for nearly any interest on platforms like Goodreads or Meetup.
Related Articles
- 9 Smart Reading Comprehension Activities for Adults
- How to Improve Reading Skills for Adults (Simple Steps)
- 15 Reading Strategies to Improve Your Reading Skills
- 12 Reading Skills and Strategies to Read Smarter
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m a slow reader. Should I focus on speed or comprehension first? Always start with comprehension. Think of it this way: driving a car at 100 miles per hour is useless if you have no idea where you’re going. True efficiency comes from understanding information correctly the first time you read it. When you focus on active reading strategies, like asking questions and connecting ideas, your reading speed will naturally increase because your brain becomes better at processing the material. Deep understanding is the foundation that makes sustainable speed possible.
What’s the one habit I can start today if I’m short on time? Before you read anything—even a long email—take 30 seconds to set a clear intention. Ask yourself, “What do I need to get from this text?” This simple question acts like a filter for your brain, helping it zero in on the most important information and ignore the fluff. It’s the single fastest way to shift from passive skimming to active, purposeful reading, and it makes a huge difference in what you absorb, even in a five-minute session.
I have to read a lot of dense, technical material for my job. Will these strategies work for that? Absolutely. In fact, these strategies are most effective when dealing with complex information. For technical reports or academic papers, the “preview and scan” technique is a game-changer. By first looking at headings, charts, and summaries, you create a mental framework. This allows you to place the dense details into a logical structure as you read, preventing that feeling of being overwhelmed by jargon.
Is it really necessary to take notes? It feels like it slows me down. I understand why it feels that way, but think of it as an investment that pays off immediately. Note-taking isn’t about writing down everything; it’s about forcing your brain to process what you’re reading. The simple act of summarizing a key idea in your own words moves it from your short-term to your long-term memory. This saves you from having to re-read the same paragraph multiple times and ensures you actually retain the information for when you need it later.
How do I know if my comprehension is actually improving? You’ll start to notice small but significant changes. The most obvious sign is that you have to re-read sentences and paragraphs less often. You’ll also find it easier to explain what you just read to someone else without stumbling over your words. When you can finish a chapter and immediately articulate its three main points, you’ll know your brain is building stronger connections and your comprehension skills are getting sharper.