Learning is a lifelong process. We’re always learning from the world around us, whether it’s in structured classrooms or outside in the school of life. We’re constantly learning and doing so in different ways.
But, no matter how you learn the best, here are a couple techniques to play around with. Try this out when you pick up a new hobby, instrument, language, or when you’re studying for math class.
Using the spacing effect to remember things.
To practice this, you’ll have to set progressively longer times in between your study sessions, when you study a specific topic. Yes, it’s true that your memories can decay over time. But that works alongside this also because when you forget something and relearn it, your brain has a better time retaining it.
Write it down.
There have been plenty of studies that show writing things down better helps you retain information. I don’t just mean typing things up in your computer. I mean, writing it down by hand, with a pen, pencil, or stylus. There is something about what our brain goes through when we form the words on the paper, which helps better embed the info in our minds.
Now let’s put it all together!
What you’re going to need are some notecards and five bags or boxes (or even just stacks on your desk). You can even use binder clips and sticky notes.
- Write down what you want to learn on flashcards.
Create five boxes (or sticky notes) labeled:
- Every day
- Every other day
- Once a week
- Every other week
- Before the exam/Last review
- All of the cards will be clipped together or placed in the first category.
- When you can remember/recall the card, move it up to the next box.
- If you can’t remember the information on the card, it goes all the way back to the first category.
Try this out and let me know how it turns out for you!