Enhancing Memory: Psychology-backed Strategies for Remembering Information
As the finals season approaches, Natural Sciences Correspondent Ellie Breitfeld shares research-based strategies to help students navigate complex subjects efficiently.
Chunking is a strategy that involves breaking up information into manageable sections, no more than 7 meaningful chunks for effective studying. This approach aligns with the human brain's ability to hold about 7 items in short-term memory at a time.
For complex and challenging concepts, it is more effective to study for longer, but fewer periods of time. This approach, known as distributed practice, spreads learning sessions over time instead of cram sessions. Short, regular study intervals promote long-term memory storage and reduce forgetting.
Active learning is another key strategy. Engaging actively with the material by summarizing, discussing, or teaching concepts rather than passively reading or listening deepens understanding and improves retention.
Self-testing and retrieval practice are also highly effective. Frequently testing yourself on the content strengthens memory recall and reveals knowledge gaps. Techniques such as practice quizzes, flashcards, or creative retrieval games (e.g., Pictionary, charades) can be used to reinforce learning.
Creating mind maps and organizing notes can help structure complex information, making it easier to understand and remember. Writing and then paraphrasing notes enhances encoding of material.
Connecting theory to practical examples makes abstract concepts more concrete, aiding comprehension and engagement. Applying theories to real-world or personal examples can help students grasp difficult concepts more easily.
Focused study sessions and time management are crucial for maintaining concentration and avoiding burnout. Techniques like the Pomodoro method—studying intensely for 25 minutes followed by short breaks—can help students stay focused and productive.
Multimodal learning is another approach that combines different sensory modes (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) to deepen learning, tailoring methods to personal preferences.
Being deliberate about where one studies can also help differentiate material for different classes and improve memory retention. The context in which a memory was first encoded can help in retrieving memories during exams.
In a separate section, Ellie Breitfeld shares her experiences with "4 Desk Friends" that help her through finals. The article also includes a conversation with Jacob Schatz '15, looking back on his undergraduate research experiences.
These strategies, based on psychology research, optimize cognitive processing, memory consolidation, and motivation for dealing with complex subjects efficiently and effectively.
In the context of education-and-self-development, a personal-growth strategy for students might involve creating mind maps and organizing notes to structure complex information, thereby aiding understanding and memory. Additionally, engaging in learning through self-testing and retrieval practice, such as frequent quizzing or the use of creative retrieval games, promotes long-term memory and helps identify knowledge gaps.
