Have you ever learned a concept in class, remembered it, but then found that by the time you were tested on it you had forgotten? It almost seems like the information just vanished! At least, it has for me. However, there’s a completely normal explanation for this — one that Hermann Ebbinghaus was determined to figure out.
Ebbinghaus, a German psychologist in the late 19th-century, was regarded as one of the pioneers in the study of memory. He wanted to determine the reason why we forget things, and how to prevent this. To do this, he tested on himself by studying “nonsense variables”. Words like nog and bak (among hundreds of others) were used because they had no prior meaning that could interfere with remembering them. He would study and learn them until he could recall them perfectly. Sometimes, this required thousands of recitations. Apart from experimenting on himself, he also studied the mental ability of children at school.
The result of his research: the forgetting curve.
(Image Credit: elearningindustry.com)
The forgetting curve is a visual representation illustrating how the information we learn is lost. Oftentimes, this occurs soon after we learn something. After the first hour, less than half of what we originally learned is still in our memory. By the end of the day, only a third. This is because what we learn is only stored in our short-term memory which, like the name suggests, only keeps information for a short amount of time. After that set period is over, the memories weaken and are eventually lost entirely. Our long-term memory is much better at retaining information from our past.
So what can be done? As students, it is essential that we remember what we learn. Forgetting is frustrating, especially when you are facing a test at the end of the year that covers topics you learned months prior. Fortunately, there are a few methods that you can use to combat this “forgetting curve”.
Make the information meaningful to you. Studying information that is completely meaningless or irrelevant will most likely result in not learning anything. Think about what the information means to you. How does it affect you, or how could it in the future? Why is it important for you to know this, and how could you use the knowledge you gain? If these don’t work, you could always use something else to remember. For example, if you like music, you could turn a scientific process, like mitosis, into a song! Anything that makes the information meaningful to you is one step closer to making it stick.
Improve how clear the information is. Sometimes, the format of how a topic is laid out isn’t the best. Whether it’s scribbled, messy notes, or hard-to-read text, presenting the information in a way that is engaging and clear can help you retain it. Some ways you could apply this method are by cleaning up your notes, creating diagrams and/or mind maps, or simplifying the information into easier terms so that it makes sense to you. For visual learners, in particular, this could be a key part in truly learning and remembering the content.
Use spaced repetition techniques. As the forgetting curve shows, we lose what we learn on the first day. To prevent this, you can review what you have learned in your classes at the end of the day by writing a summary in your notes or making some flashcards. This not only helps you remember the information but also creates study resources for you to use later on for exams! If you can’t review every day, aim for at least once a week, such as Fridays after school. You should also go over the information the day after, such as reading through your notes and annotating them a few minutes before class. The more you review after the first time you learn something, the more it’ll stick. This also means that you won’t have to spend long hours at a time just studying, but rather spacing out the intervals in which you do. You’ll start to remember more...and actually study less! Flashcards are perhaps the best way to do this, and platforms like Quizlet and Anki are also great to use, especially if there’s a lot of content.
Have healthy habits in place. Factors like stress and sleep have a great impact on your memory. Not getting enough hours of sleep makes you more likely to forget what you learn, since your brain needs rest too. Keeping your mental health in check can improve your focus and how you retain information. If you ever feel overwhelmed or burnt out, take a break, even if it's just to go on a thirty-minute walk or a short meditation session. If other problems arise, never be afraid to reach out to someone, including teachers who might be able to help you balance your work. It is also important to have a balanced and healthy diet. Omega-3’s and antioxidant-rich foods have been scientifically proven to boost your memory. These include oily fish, blueberries, dark chocolate, and broccoli.
Improving your memory is completely achievable. Psychology has shown that by working out your brain, you make it stronger. Ebbinghaus and other researchers have made great strides in learning about the brain and how memories are processed. As students, we can apply these concepts and remember everything we need to know.
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Edited By: Khushi Kumari
About the Author:
Marina is a freshman in high school from Florida. Learning about studying and techniques to improve as a student has always been interesting to her- and getting to help other students with them is even more fulfilling.
Wow, this is so informative. Thank you!