Unlock the secret to remembering what you study with our expert tips. Study smarter, not harder, and ace your exams.

How to remember what you study: The secret

Learning is an essential part of life, and we all want to retain the knowledge we gain from studying. But with so much information to absorb, it can be challenging to remember what we study. However, there are ways to improve retention and recall. In this article, we'll explore some study tips and life hacks that can help you remember what you study.

How the memory works

In order to remember what you study, it's important to understand how memory works. The process of memorizing involves encoding information into our working memory and then storing it in our long-term memory for later retrieval. To improve retention and recall, there are several memory techniques that learners can use.

Top tips to remember what you study

Remembering what you study can be challenging, but with the right memory techniques, and study methods, anyone can improve their ability to recall information. Understanding how memory works, taking care of your brain, and experimenting with different study techniques can help you retain knowledge and overcome memory loss. By applying the tips discussed in this article, you can improve your retention, recall of what you study and boost your learning process with memory tricks and study tips.

Take handwritten notes

Putting information into our own words and practicing recall can help solidify learned information in our long-term memory. Encode information by re-reading, note-taking, summarizing in your own words, and focusing on the main points. You can also make handwritten flashcards or mind maps as part of your note-taking. By organizing the information in a meaningful way, you can create a more memorable and personalized record of the material, allowing you to retain it better and encode it into your working memory.

Choose peaceful locations to study

Choosing a peaceful location to study is crucial for maintaining focus and retaining information. Distractions such as multitasking or using social media during study sessions can lead to memory loss and hinder your ability to learn. To optimize your study sessions, it's important to eliminate distractions and create a conducive environment for learning. When selecting a location to study, opt for a quiet and peaceful spot such as a library, a private room, or a park. Avoid studying in areas with a lot of foot traffic or noise, such as a busy coffee shop or a loud music venue. These distractions can cause your mind to wander, making it difficult to concentrate and learn.

Make use of acronyms and mnemonic devices

Mnemonics are memory aids that help encode and recall a piece of information by associating it with something easy to remember. Two examples of mnemonic strategies are creating acronyms and memory palaces.

Acronyms

An acronym is a word formed from the first letter of each word in a phrase or title. Acronyms are often used as a shorthand way of referring to longer phrases or names and can be pronounced as a single word, such as NASA (The National Aeronautics and Space Administration), NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization), or even HOMES, which can be used to remember the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior.

The memory palace technique

The memory palace technique involves creating a mental image of information and placing it in a visual "palace" to recall it later. For instance, if you're trying to remember a grocery list, you can create a mental image of each item in your house, then visualize yourself picking up each item in the order you need them.

Learn in bite-sized chunks

Learning in bite-sized chunks breaks down complex topics into smaller, more manageable pieces, which can be easier to understand and remember. Trying to absorb too much information at once can be daunting, and it can be difficult to retain everything you've learned. By breaking down complex topics into smaller chunks, you can tackle them one at a time, which can be less intimidating, more effective, and give you a sense of accomplishment as well as encourage you to continue.

Use text to speech technology

Text to speech tools like Speechify are effective aids for improving both short-term and long-term memory. When we read information, we process it visually. When we listen to information, we are process it auditorily. Engaging with information in multiple ways can help improve short-term memory by making it easier for our brains to process and store information. Additionally, by listening to information, we are process it in a different part of our brain than when we read it, which can help improve long-term memory retention.

Have a power nap or take a break

Spaced repetition, or studying over long periods of time with breaks in between, can help store information in our long-term memory. Try studying in short periods of time and take naps to refresh your working memory.

Test your knowledge after memorizing a topic

Once you have memorized a topic, it is important to test your knowledge to ensure that you have retained the information. There are many effective ways to test your knowledge after memorizing. Here are a few examples:

1. Flashcards — Flashcards can be a great tool for testing your memory of key facts, dates, or formulas. You can create your own flashcards or use online resources to find pre-made ones.
2. Quizzes — You can create your own quizzes or use online resources to find pre-made tests. Make sure to take the time to review any questions you miss and understand why you got them wrong.
3. Practice problems — For subjects like math, science, or engineering, practice problems can be an effective way to test your understanding of concepts and formulas. By working through problems on your own, you can identify areas where you may need additional practice or review.
4. Discussion groups — By explaining concepts to others in a study group or discussion group and engaging in conversations about the topic at hand, you can deepen your understanding and identify areas where you may have gaps in your knowledge.

Boost productivity and remember what you learned with speechify

Speechify is a text to speech tool that can help boost productivity and aid in memory retention. By converting digital or physical text into spoken words, Speechify can help you consume content more quickly and efficiently, freeing up time for other tasks. In addition to increasing productivity, Speechify can improve memory retention. Research has shown that hearing information can be a more effective way of retaining it than reading alone. By listening to material as it is read aloud, you can reinforce your memory of the content and better understand the material. Speechify also offers customization features such as voice selection and speed control, allowing you to tailor the reading experience to your preferences. This can help to further enhance comprehension and retention, as you can adjust the speed and tone of the reading to match your learning style. Try Speechify for free today.

FAQ

Can learning a foreign language improve my memory?

Learning a foreign language is another way to improve memory, as it stimulates the brain and strengthens neuron connections.

What is the difference between short and long-term memory?

Short-term memory is the ability to hold information in your mind for a brief period of time, while long-term memory is the ability to store and retrieve information over an extended period of time.