Today’s world is flooded with more information than ever before. It’s pretty cool to have access to all this info at once, but it’s not the same as having it stored in our brains. Honestly, all this data can be overwhelming. We often struggle with what to learn and how to make it stick in our memories for the long haul. This hits students especially hard because they’ve got exams on the horizon. But here’s the good news: there are some proven tricks to boost your memory and make what you read stick. In this blog, we’ll lay out seven techniques to help you remember stuff without needing to take a ton of notes. Whether you’re a student or just someone who loves learning, these tips will level up your reading and memory game. And remember, don’t just skim the headings – dive into the details to get the full picture and step-by-step process.
I know what’s on your mind. Becoming an expert isn’t something you can just do on a whim. You can’t read for a couple of hours and magically become an expert. That’s a fact. True expertise takes years to develop. But here’s the deal: before they became experts, the folks who are experts now had the burning desire to become who they are today. They read like experts.
Here’s how you can do it too:
When you dive into a subject, especially if you’re a student gearing up for exams, the natural instinct is to focus solely on memorizing the content. This often leads to cramming, where you stuff information into your brain without truly understanding it. But that’s not the path to long-term memory retention.
So, when you tackle a subject, let’s say something like calculus, start by exploring the background and history behind it. Every subject is a solution to a particular problem. Your goal is to grasp the history of the problem and how the brilliant minds behind it came up with a solution. Join them on their journey to solving this problem. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and even challenge their approach if you think it’s off. Seek understanding until you genuinely grasp the solution they’ve provided.
If you are studying calculus, learn about how Newton grappled with finding the area under a curve or dealing with concepts like slope tangent lines and velocities using algebra. Make his problem your own and embark on the quest for a solution alongside Newton. Wonder about how he crafted such a brilliant solution. Let your curiosity run wild and marvel at the genius of his solution. Then, study it again until you’ve truly got it down pat.
Every subject has its own underlying purpose or logical basis for being studied, explaining why it’s important. In my field, like Petroleum Engineering, for example, the core rationale is quite simple: it’s all about safely and economically extracting hydrocarbons. Everything within this field revolves around this central idea. The machines we design, study, or invent aim either to improve worker and environmental safety or to make the extraction of hydrocarbons more cost-effective. That’s the fundamental rationale behind Petroleum Engineering.
When I study a specific topic within my course, I always ask myself whether that particular unit is geared towards enhancing safety or reducing the costs involved in hydrocarbon extraction. With this clarity, I can then focus my studies accordingly, aligning my understanding with the core purpose.
This approach isn’t exclusive to Petroleum Engineering; you can apply it to any course you’re taking. To find out the rationale of your course, take a look at its definition or quickly skim through the topics to get a sense of the overall content. And remember, within each course, there’s also a rationale for each subtopic, unit, or even individual lecture. Discovering and understanding these rationales can greatly enhance your comprehension of the subject matter.
3. Talk out loud when studying
My friends have been curious about my newfound efficiency and productivity this semester, even though they don’t see me spending hours in the library. Are they suspecting me of sneaking in behind their backs? Well, the truth is, I’ve actually ditched the library because I found it wasn’t helping me retain what I read without constant rereading.
Here’s the game-changer:
Speaking out loud (and I can’t stress this enough) is probably the most effective way to lock information into your memory. Whether it’s for college or any other part of your life, here’s a key insight: your brain isn’t the same as your body. You need to talk to it, just like you would with your next-door neighbor. If you don’t get this, you won’t perform at your best.
Recent research from the University of Waterloo backs this up. Speaking out loud is a powerful tool for long-term memory retention, thanks to something they call the “production effect.” They studied different ways of learning written information: reading silently, having someone else read to you, listening to a recording of yourself reading, and reading aloud in real-time. Guess what? Reading aloud to yourself came out on top when they tested 95 people.
I don’t just grab a book and start reading it out loud. That alone won’t help you remember stuff for the long haul. What I do is read the material and then, without looking at the book, I recite it to myself or imagine explaining it to a group of people. Next, I try to break it down and simplify it as if I’m teaching someone who knows nothing about the topic. This way, your brain really grabs onto the information and won’t let go. Yes, I know it’s a bit challenging, but it’s definitely easier than repeatedly reading and forgetting. Give it a shot!
Don’t forget, your brain is like its own little entity living inside your head. Treat it as the independent thinker it is. In step three, you spoke to it, and it listened, taking that information and storing it away in its secret brain chambers. Now, it’s time to show it that information so it always knows where it’s stored. This is super important because in the exam room, your brain can get sneaky, like looking at the ceiling, chewing on a pen, or reading every sign on the wall instead of helping you out.
So, let your brain see the info by taking notes while it’s in charge. And here’s the kicker: do it by hand. Your brain isn’t a fan of technology. Typing on your laptop or smartphone won’t impress it; in fact, it might mess things up. Taking handwritten notes is like a power boost for embodied cognition, which means it helps your brain recall stuff better. It’s a win-win situation that every student should have in their mental toolkit.
Learning to take notes by hand and making note-taking a big part of your learning and study routine can start as early as third or fourth grade, but it’s never too late to start.
5. Not reviewing information immediately after studying
So, after a long day of hitting the books, you might find yourself on the couch with some burritos, trying to remember everything you’ve learned. Well, guess what? That can really annoy the resident up in the skull apartment. Remember, you and your brain are like roommates sharing the same space, but you live downstairs while your brain is upstairs. He doesn’t appreciate it when you keep bugging him about where he stashed all the info you fed it.
Now it’s time for him to chill and rest, and that’s exactly what you should give him. Otherwise, all that great stuff you told him might just slip away. That’s how the brain rolls. It’s actually a smart idea to hit the hay after studying because it lets your brain process the info on its own. But if you started studying right after waking up and you’re not feeling sleepy, taking a leisurely walk or just hanging out is a good plan. Let go of your worries and stress because, hey, you’re not the only one in the world who’s as anxious as you are. You’re not alone in this.
If that’s a bit much to ask, spend some quality time with friends and have a good laugh with them. Your brain loves it when you have fun after a study session. And if none of these options tickle your fancy, catch up on your favorite Netflix show. All of this helps your brain relax, process, and lock that information into long-term memory.
Let’s be real here. Studying with your friends is probably one of the worst ways to absorb information and make it stick for the long haul. I mean, sure, you might start off with good intentions, planning to study for like, what, 30 minutes? But inevitably, one of your buddies starts rambling about something, like a girl they saw the other day or the wildest dream they had last night. You might try to resist for a few minutes, but next thing you know, you’re deep into the conversation, and the clock’s ticking away. And when the day’s over, you realize you’ve had multiple “study sessions” with pretty much zero productivity.
Back when you first started college, studying in groups was a great way to make friends. It was a bit awkward, and there wasn’t much else to talk about. You were all still getting to know each other, and the freshman excitement about school was real. But once you’ve made a couple of friends, studying with them can turn into a recipe for academic disaster.
Here’s a better idea:
Instead of group study, pick a big, complex topic that you can dive into solo. Then, agree on a time to meet up and discuss that topic. Each person comes prepared with their own thoughts, and those who struggled with certain concepts can ask questions. This way, you get the benefits of collaboration without sacrificing your own learning and focus.
There are two big advantages to this approach:
First, you have the chance to learn something new that you might have missed in your solo study sessions when others share their insights.
Second, when you explain and discuss topics with your peers, you can assess the depth of your own understanding based on how well you can provide answers. If your explanations are on point, that’s great. But if you find yourself struggling or your answers aren’t quite hitting the mark, it becomes clear where you need to fill in the gaps in your knowledge. This way, you can adjust your study approach to address those weak points and improve your understanding.
7. Don’t Engage in Something Mentally Challenging After a Session of Study
Unless it’s something you genuinely love and it doesn’t feel like a mental workout, diving into a mentally demanding task right after a hardcore study session can mess with how well you retain what you’ve learned. So, here’s the deal: before tackling anything that requires high focus and brainpower, take a breather. Do something relaxing or enjoyable, like hitting the gym, taking a stroll, or hanging out with a friend. Essentially, give your brain some downtime to quietly reinforce the pathways of the concepts you’ve just studied in the background.
Plenty of studies back up the idea that getting a good night’s sleep after studying is a memory game-changer. So, after you’ve hit the books, be sure to catch some quality Zs. Your brain needs that rest to do its memory magic.
Review
- Read to Be an Expert on the Subject.
- Figure Out the Rationale.
- Talk Out Loud When Studying.
- Take Notes By Hand
- Don’t Review Information Immediately After Studying
- Don’t Study in Groups
- Don’t Engage in Something Mentally Challenging After a Session of Study
This is a very detailed process. Thank you for that.
Thanks for reading, Amaze