The techniques in this section help you to manage information better. By using them you will be able to improve:

Your reading skills, so that you can find the information you need quickly and easily
The way you make notes, so that they become clear and easy to understand, and quick to review
Your review techniques, so that you can keep information fresh in your mind.
These techniques will help you to assimilate information quickly. This may involve keeping yourself up-to-date on events within your field, absorbing information within reports or learning specialist information needed to complete a project.

These are also very useful tools for mastering course material where you are studying for exams.

They work particularly well in conjunction with the mnemonics described in the Mind Tools Memory Techniques section – used together these two sets of tools will give you a formidable advantage in organising and remembering information. This is often what exams are about.

Techniques discussed are:

How to take notes effectively - Mind Maps
Fully absorbing written information - SQ3R
Speed Reading
Reading faster by thinking what to read - Reading Strategies
Keeping information fresh in your mind - Review Techniques
Learn in a way that suits you - Learning Styles
The Conscious Competence Ladder - Making learning a happier experience
Mind Maps are powerful tools for recording and organizing information. They do this in a format that is easy to review. Once you understand and start using Mind Maps, you will never again want to take notes using conventional techniques.

The next three techniques (SQ3R, Speed Reading and use of Reading Strategies) help you to assimilate and understand written information quickly and efficiently.

The section on Review Techniques will help you to keep information that you have already learned alive in your mind.

Finally, the article on Learning Styles will not only help you develop the ways in which you can learn, but you'll be able to tailor what you do so that others can learn from you more effectively.