Brief Summary
This video provides six techniques to improve memory retention when reading or studying. It emphasises the importance of attention, visualisation, active recall, teaching others, and spaced repetition to combat the forgetting curve. The key takeaway is that passive reading is insufficient for long-term retention; active engagement and regular review are essential.
- Pay attention and eliminate distractions.
- Visualise the content like watching a movie.
- Write down key points to internalise information.
- Use active recall instead of highlighting.
- Teach the material to others to reinforce learning.
- Employ spaced repetition to combat the forgetting curve.
The Game of Attention
The initial step to enhance memory is to focus. To improve attention, eliminate distractions such as phones and lyrical music. Instead, listen to instrumental music to maintain focus. While reading, consistently ask yourself, "How can I use this in my life?" This question helps to identify and concentrate on important, memorable information. When studying for an exam, reframe the question to "How could this be asked on the exam?" This approach encourages thinking like the examiner, pinpointing key points likely to appear on the test.
Pretend You're Watching a Movie
To improve memory, visualise what you read as if you're watching a movie. Envision the general idea of the text in your mind. Visualising information transforms it into a more memorable format, similar to an actual memory. By imagining the content playing out on a movie screen, you leverage your brain's ability to remember visual information more effectively.
Write Like Beethoven
Writing down information significantly improves retention. Beethoven used sketchbooks to jot down musical ideas, which helped him remember them without needing to review the notes. Handwriting notes forces you to synthesise information and differentiate between important and unimportant details. This process enhances understanding and memory, even if you never reread the notes.
Don't Pick Up That Highlighter
Avoid highlighting or underlining key passages. Instead, read a section, close the book, and actively recall what you've read by writing down your thoughts and memories. This process, known as active recall, instantiates the information into your memory more effectively. Active recall is a game-changer for memory retention.
The Learning Pyramid
The learning pyramid suggests that teaching information to someone else significantly improves retention. By explaining the material in your own words, you reinforce the key points and remember them better. Teaching forces your brain to learn the information more thoroughly. Reading alone has a low retention rate (10%), so discussing or teaching what you've read is crucial for truly retaining the information.
The Forgetting Curve
The forgetting curve illustrates that most newly acquired information is forgotten within 24 hours unless reviewed. To combat this, use spaced repetition. Review the information at regular intervals. A recommended strategy is the "rule of five": review the information five times on the first day, once a day for five days, and then once a week for five weeks. This reinforces the information into your long-term memory.
