Mind-mapping is essential here. Once, I PhotoRead a short book on the history of the American revolution. I closed it feeling I knew a lot about the revolution, because I got 100% on a test about 12 years ago in High School. I wanted to see how different my perspective was, and when I went to rummage in my mind, it was as if I had done NOTHING with the book.
I got out the scetch paper and started mapping. By the time I was done, I had a very good understanding of the book.
Remember, your preconscious mind can be sloppy. The information isn't aways in your head. Sometimes, it's in your hands, or your ears, or on the tip of your tongue. Mind-mapping involves making important connections, not only on the paper but in the mind and between the ceribral and somatic self.
I would never read anything for school without mind-mapping it.
