DACH
FR-BE
US-CAN
Have you ever noticed how your reading grinds to a halt the moment you encounter an unfamiliar word? That sudden stop-and-search routine doesn't just slow you down—it completely derails your concentration. What if there was a way to protect your reading flow whilst still expanding your vocabulary? Welcome to the 'Vocabulary Parking Lot' technique, a brilliantly simple strategy that keeps your momentum alive whilst ensuring you never leave a new word behind.
Find an Unknown Word
The first step is pure awareness. As you read, you'll inevitably hit a term that trips you up. Perhaps it's technical jargon, an academic phrase, or simply a word you've seen before but can't quite define. Here's the crucial bit: acknowledge it exists, but don't stop. Your brain wants to immediately chase that definition, but constant interruptions are the enemy of deep comprehension.
Instead of breaking your stride, simply note that the word is there. A quick mental flag is all you need in this moment. The key is recognising the unknown without letting it hijack your attention. This tiny pause—just enough to mark the word mentally—takes less than a second and costs you nothing in terms of flow.
Park It on Your List
Now comes the clever part: create a physical 'parking space' for that word. Keep a notepad beside you, use the margin of your book, or open a notes app on your phone. When you encounter your unfamiliar term, jot it down quickly. Write just the word itself—no definition, no context, just the term.
This simple act of parking serves two purposes:
- It reassures your brain that the word hasn't been forgotten
- It creates a tangible list you'll return to shortly
- It takes roughly three seconds, protecting your precious momentum
Think of it as leaving a breadcrumb trail. You're not abandoning the word; you're giving it a proper home where it can wait for you.
Keep Reading Forward
This is where the magic happens. With your word safely parked, you continue reading the rest of the section. Your eyes keep moving forward, your brain stays engaged with the main ideas, and your comprehension actually improves because you're maintaining context.
Here's why this works so well: when you stop mid-section to look up every word, you lose the thread of the argument. You forget what came before, and you struggle to connect ideas. But when you push through to the end of the section, you build a complete mental picture. Often, you'll find the context itself clarifies those tricky terms without needing a dictionary at all.
Speed helps focus. The book's advice about avoiding constant re-reading is spot-on: forward motion creates momentum, and momentum creates engagement. You're not skipping the learning; you're simply timing it better.
Look It Up Later
Once you've finished the section—and only then—return to your parking lot list. Take two or three minutes to look up each word. Write a brief, plain-language definition next to each term. Make it meaningful to you, not a formal dictionary copy.
This delayed approach has remarkable benefits:
- You've now read the full context, making the definition more memorable
- You can connect the word to specific ideas from what you just read
- You're building vocabulary systematically rather than chaotically
- On your next reading session, these words won't slow you down at all
What was a roadblock yesterday becomes a speed bump tomorrow, and eventually, it disappears entirely. You're not just reading faster—you're genuinely learning more.
The Vocabulary Parking Lot transforms how you approach challenging texts. It respects both your need for speed and your desire to grow. It's practical, it's effective, and it works for any subject.
Want even sharper focus whilst you read? Brainzyme's scientifically proven plant-powered focus supplements can support your concentration, helping you maintain that precious flow state for longer. Visit www.brainzyme.com to discover how our natural formulas can enhance your study sessions and help you achieve your learning goals.
