It would be helpful if we could retain word for word the reviews, lectures, and information we need. Whether it’s for an exam, a job interview, or a meeting, don’t you sometimes wish you could remember all the information you find? The truth is, we forget a lot of the things we read and learn. Research shows that within an hour, most people have forgotten about 50% of what they learned, and that percentage increases as time passes. While there isn’t a full scientifically proven step by step process for what we can do to remember information, Thomas Oppong shares some tips on how we can retain it the best that we can:
Spaced repetition
One method is spaced repetition — repeating intake of what you are trying to retain over a period of time. For example, when you read a book and really enjoy it, instead of putting it away, reread it again after a month, then again after three months, then again after six months, and then again after a year. Spaced repetition leverages the spacing effect, a memory phenomenon that describes how our brains learn better when we separate out information over time. Learning something new drives out old information if you don’t allow sufficient time for new neural connection to solidify.
The 50/50 rule
Dedicate 50% of your time to learning anything new and the rest of your time to sharing or explaining what you have learned to someone or your audience.
Topic demonstrations
Another valuable method is to make the most of topic demonstrations to understand a topic inside out. Unlike simply reading or listening to an explanation, demonstrations show you how something works and help you visualize the concept. When learning photography, design, public speaking, negotiation, or a useful new technology, watching instructional videos that demonstrate what you’re trying to learn can improve your retention rate.
Sleep
Finally, use sleep as a powerful aid between learning sessions. Sleep after learning is a critical part of the memory-creation process, and sleep before learning strengthens your capacity.
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