Why Can I Read but Not Understand? The Frustrating Puzzle Explained

The Strange Phenomenon of Reading Without Comprehension

Have you ever found yourself reading a passage, only to realize that you have absolutely no clue what you just read? It's a common experience, and you’re not alone. You can see the words, you can read them, but understanding them? That’s a whole different story.

This phenomenon can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you’re trying to learn something or absorb new information. You feel like you're "reading" but somehow your brain isn't connecting the dots. But why does this happen? What’s the deal with reading comprehension, and how can you fix it?

Let’s dig into this.

Mental Fatigue and Cognitive Overload: The Silent Killers of Comprehension

Reading While Exhausted: Why It Doesn't Work

One major reason you might be reading without understanding is mental fatigue. Trust me, I’ve been there. A couple of weeks ago, I tried reading an article for a project I was working on. My brain was fried—late nights, too much coffee, and too little sleep. I could read every word, but the moment I tried to recall what I’d just read, it was like my brain had hit a wall. It’s almost like my eyes were reading, but my mind wasn’t participating at all.

The thing is, when you’re tired or stressed, your brain doesn't process information as effectively. Cognitive overload can make it harder for you to retain details, even if you're fully focused on the words. It’s frustrating, but a simple solution is: take breaks, get some rest, and revisit the text when you’re more refreshed.

The Impact of Multitasking on Focus

If you’re like me, you’ve probably tried to read while checking your phone or juggling other tasks. But let me tell you: multitasking is the enemy of understanding. When you divide your attention between reading and other distractions, it becomes much harder for your brain to grasp the material. You might be able to read the words, but without full focus, the meaning gets lost in translation.

So, my advice? Just try to read without any distractions. It’s harder than it sounds, I know, but the results are worth it.

Lack of Prior Knowledge: You Can't Understand What You Don’t Know

The Knowledge Gap: Your Brain Needs Context

Another reason you might read but not understand is a lack of prior knowledge. For example, I recently tried reading an article about quantum physics (yeah, I know, not the easiest subject). The words were all there, but the concepts were completely foreign to me. It felt like I was reading a different language, and no matter how many times I read the passage, it didn’t stick.

This is where background knowledge comes into play. If you don’t have enough context or prior knowledge on the topic, it’s going to be incredibly difficult to comprehend. Your brain just doesn’t have the mental framework to connect new information to what you already know.

So, what’s the solution? It’s pretty simple: build up your knowledge base. Before diving into complex subjects, take the time to learn the basics. It will make understanding more advanced material much easier. Trust me, I learned this the hard way.

Reading Speed and Its Effect on Understanding

Slow Down to Speed Up Understanding

It might sound counterintuitive, but reading slower can actually improve comprehension. I used to speed-read through everything. I thought I could just blast through texts and absorb everything. But in reality, I was only skimming the surface. My brain wasn’t given enough time to process and absorb the material.

One time, I was reading a research paper for work and tried to skim through it. Hours later, I realized I had no idea what I had just read. I had to go back and re-read everything, but this time slowly and carefully. It was like the fog cleared up.

When you rush through reading, you're not allowing your brain the time it needs to understand and retain information. Slow down, give your brain the space to make connections, and you’ll find that comprehension comes more easily.

Anxiety and Stress: How They Hijack Your Understanding

The Role of Anxiety in Reading Comprehension

Let’s not forget about the role of anxiety in comprehension. If you’re stressed or anxious about something, even the simplest task can become overwhelming. I remember preparing for a big exam once, and while I was reading the material, I kept thinking, “What if I don’t understand this?” Guess what? That very anxiety made it harder for me to focus, and I ended up not understanding a thing, even though I read it multiple times.

Stress can interfere with cognitive functions like attention and memory, making it difficult to retain what you read. It’s like your brain is too busy worrying about the outcome to actually process the content in front of you.

If you find yourself in this situation, try some relaxation techniques before you start reading—deep breathing, meditation, or even a short walk. Giving yourself some mental space can help calm the anxiety and improve comprehension.

Conclusion: Overcoming the Struggle of Reading Without Understanding

So, why can you read but not understand? It could be due to a variety of reasons: mental fatigue, lack of prior knowledge, anxiety, or even just reading too fast. It’s a frustrating experience, but it’s also something you can work through.

Take a step back, try slowing down, build your background knowledge, and give yourself time to rest and focus. Trust me, the more you learn to manage these factors, the easier it will become to absorb and understand what you’re reading.

In the end, reading isn’t just about seeing the words—it’s about connecting them in your mind. And once you figure that out, you’ll never have to ask, “Why can I read but not understand?” again.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.