How to remember anything you learn easily? Smart learning
04/03/2019 11:23:17 am
HOW TO REMEMBER ANYTHING YOU LEARN EASILY?
SPECIAL TIPS FROM RAPTOR’S EXPERTS
Have you ever thought the fact that what happens without memory? Will you be able to remember anything in this world?
No
How to remember everything easily?
Memory, a complex word and a complex process. Just take few activities that might test your memory system.
You might be surprised to know what memory actually can do and where does all the information get stored.
Ever heard people comparing the brain to a computer?
That would be convenient when we have similar parts like computer but in reality it is little painful.
A memory on whole is not a single thing. It consists of a short term memory and a long term memory. Short term memory lasts between 15 to 30 minutes. Any memory that can be recalled after that length of time is a long-term memory.
Long-term memory can be split into explicit and implicit memory. Implicit memories include habits and skills that we can do automatically. Explicit memories are things we’re consciously aware of and are intentionally trying to remember.
How to remember Working Memory?
Ability to keep information active in your mind for a short time. It is a temporary storage system and it is vital for day-to- day tasks.
Working memory is important for putting information into our long term memory. It is crucial for academic performance. At school, due to poor working memory the areas of learning are greatly affected.
What is Bucket and Water Analogy ?
Working memory is like a bucket, you can fill it up using a glass of water. Every drop remains unless overtime memory evaporates through lack of repeated use.
In the case of children water drains out frequently due to poor working memory. The only way to overcome this issue is to train the children based on their memory capacity.
HOW TO REMEMBER ANYTHING YOU LEARN ? How do we use?
- Reading a unknown word
- Repeating back information heard
- Answering questions during lectures
- Problem solving
- Mental math
What are the Activities to improve working memory?
- Visual teaching
- Card games
- Make connections using mnemonics
- Instructional games
- Reciting words in reverse order
What is the Ebbinghaus? - “The Forgetting Curve”
He conducted experiments on himself to describe the processes of learning and forgetting.
His forgetting curve describes the exponential loss of information that one has learned. The sharpest decline occurred after 20 minutes and curve levels off after about one day.
According to Ebbinghaus learning curve, the sharpest increase occurs in the first try and gradually evens out, meaning that less and less information is retained after each repetition.
Another important discovery of Ebbinghaus is savings. This refers to the amount of information retained in the subconscious even after this information cannot be consciously accessed. Ebbinghaus memorized a list of items until perfect recall and then would not access the list until he could no longer recall any of its items.
He then relearned the list, and compared the new learning curve to the learning curve of his previous memorization of the list. The second list was generally memorized faster, and this difference between the two learning curves is what Ebbinghaus called "savings".
The default frequency observed from the Ebbinghaus suggests that the first day learned should be repeated after seventh day then on sixteenth, thirty fifth and after two months. [1+7+16+35+2.2]
Ways to sharpen your memory !!!
Don’t remember the theory? Forgot your formulas? Couldn’t recall?
So, you’re not alone. Forgetting occasionally is not a light thing to take. Try to prevent by considering the simple ways to sharpen your memory.
- Indulging in physical activities might increase blood flow to your whole body and might help keep your memory sharp.
- Stay mentally active to keep your brain in shape [Do crossword puzzle, Sudoku].
- Practice Ebbinghaus method of learning.
- Repeat whatever you learned again after 24 hours, then again after one week and finally after a month.
- Use a mind map. A mind map is a greater way to help you remember information better.
- Read out louder instead of simply reading
- Show interest in whatever you learn. Be an active learner.
- Read at least two to three times, until you understand the context
- Only if you understand, you will be able to remember
- Learn what is necessary. Don’t try loading your memory with unnecessary stuffs.
- Make your own story when you have a lot to learn in order and connect them accordingly.
- Try to picturize whatever you learn
- Writing has a great impact, when you try to remember anything
- Highlighting the key words will help in quick revision
- Try to connect with what you know already
- Audio-visuals helps in easy remembrance
- Use tape recorder. This might sound crazy but when you record and listen to the recordings all types of memory works are done.
- Engage in group learning
- Teach others or yourself whatever you learn
- You can easily recall, when you build a memory palace
- Drawing diagrams will help you to visualize things, which can be recalled in an exam.
- Times New Roman fonts are easier to read. The actual idea is that the letters flow together and subsequently easier on eyes.
- Create a flashcard to quickly test your knowledge on key concepts, definitions and formulas.
- Try a pneumonic that make it easier to retrieve what you have learned
- You need to practice a learning skill. Practice can help improve your speed at that skill.
- Take regular study breaks after 40 – 50 minutes to help your brain absorb more information.
- Make a plan before you learn something. Go according to the plan and this will help you remember what you have learned.
- Break the large passage into smaller points or in some way, that can greatly increase you recall capacity.
- Try to be organized. Your environment might influence you to retain familiar concepts.
- Sleep plays an important role in helping you consolidate your memories. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a day.
- Healthy diet and hydrating your body might be good for your brain.
- Listening to music can lead to productive studying by elevating your mood.
- Meditation helps you concentrate when studying and it will help reduce stress as it improves both mental and physical health.
“Information + emotion = long term memory”
- Jim Kwik [World expert in memory improvement]
“Emotionally charged events are better remembered – for longer, and with more accuracy – than neutral events”
Earlier according to cognitive psychology it took 10,000 hours to learn something. This may sound weird. Do you actually take 10,000 hours to learn something? No not all. So, later they reframed as it takes 10,000 hours to master something.
Now the scenario is totally different. Actual speaking you just need 20 hours to learn something new. Here are few ways that can actually help you to learn and memorize something new.
- Set up your goal, set up your target, and decide what you want to do before starting things.
- Break down your goal into smaller steps.
- Research on every smaller steps: minimum of 3 - 5 resources, focus and skim on resources that frequently appear.
- Remove barriers to practice, avoid distractions: TV, Internet, friends, and social media; focus and force you to put in maximum focus.
- Pre-commitment and have a steady mindset before starting thing.
What are the scintillating facts on Human memory
- Scientific research has shown that the human brain starts remembering things from the womb.
- The storage capacity of human brain is limitless. An adult can remember twenty to one million words.
- Caffeine doesn’t increase memory performance instead increase alertness.
- Our memories are closely associated with our sense of smell. The hippocampus is responsible for the formation of new memories.
- Is memory loss associated with aging? No not at all. Memory loss in older people is due to lack of brain exercises.
- Physical changes occur in our brain structure when we learn new thing.
- The more you forget things, more likely you will remember it.
- A quick nap can retain mental alertness and retain information
- Human Brain: Weighs 3 pound, comprises of 60% fat, presence of 100 million neurons, can generate 23 watts when awake and it is capable of surviving for 5 to 6 minutes if it doesn’t get oxygen.
Amnesia, hope you have come across this word. Depiction of amnesia in movies or in real life is inaccurate. For example, how often characters in the movie lose his/ her memory due to a knock in his/her head? This doesn’t happen in real life. There are other true cases of amnesia that are quite rare.
Are you Worried still?
Cool! You’ve got nothing to lose unless and until you have focus and courage to attempt anything fades.
Motivate yourself to study. Put in some effort, it is not a tough nut to crack. Practice practice practice, make this your mantra.
Try new study method, this might effectively improve your memory. Meditation helps bring mind in present state and boosts concentration. It also sharpens your memory and helps to grasp things faster.
Keep one thing in mind, focused strategic effort invested in something you really care about will definitely reward you.
“Doing things are not difficult, the process of doing things are difficult”.
So, pull yourself out of your comfort zone and keep your first step. It might look harder but with clear determination every step you keep may turn wonders.
Now, you have the choice either to do in a hard insufficient way or the easy straight forward and strategic way.
Don’t go low when you face failure during the process. Every process has its own time. Believe in the process.
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning”.
– Dr. John Medina
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