How to learn and remember?

Question

How do you learn something and place it into long term memory?

Answer 1

People learn in different ways. Usually when something stands out, it is easier to recall. This is sort of why people "learn from their mistakes" as it stands out and is easier to recall.

However, to remember information and stuff (like studying) repeating the information (by listening again to the recorded lecture, re-writing notes, making up note cards) all aid in try to commit to long term memory. By attempting to consciously commit to memory, helps, too. This is like meeting someone for the first time and repeating their name to yourself a couple of times right after hearing the name. Mnemonics help, as well, to trigger what you have stored (HOMES for the Great Lakes, etc).

Even so, you need to constantly "exercise" your brain with workouts like this to make the retrieval easier.

Unfortunately, as we age, our brains get crammed full of information and sometimes retrieval is not as easy. Fear not! Your brain keeps on hand the important stuff and files away the stuff not needed right now that can be recalled later.

Answer 2

As already stated, repeating things helps you remember them. Many people are also visual learners, so writing information down helps. And studies show that the mind is much more likely to remember information that it sees in a box, so while you are taking notes you can box the important information.

Almost everyone benefits from tactile learning, so doing something than uses the information in some sort of activity will allow you to access the information through several different channels in the brain rather than just one.

Answer 3

Use as many of your senses as is possible - reading aloud is better than reading silently. Repeating to oneself aloud from memory what was just read is even better.

Verbal interaction when in a classroom setting accomplishes this - many students are too timid to speak up, thereby leaving more time for those of us who never study to do so while in class, thereby saving non-class time for relaxation. Writing term papers from scratch is another good learning technique.

My guess would be that students helping at autopsies may be the fastest learners of all - who'd want to have to do that all over gain, anyway, eh?!

Answer 4

Learning the concept and applying it.

Answer 5

repeat it ten times, and write it down. For some reason writing things down is proven to make you remember them. Also flashcards.

Answer 6

if it is your real life experience, it is already part of you so it is learned and never to forget.