How to remember everything you learn (6 Proven Ways)

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ― Benjamin Franklin

Why it works

Michael Merzenich (pictured above) is an American neuroscientist. He's best known for his pioneering work on brain plasticity. Also known as neuroplasticity, this describes the ability of our nervous system to rewire and learn — including new behaviors, skills, and cognitive functioning. Over the last decades, Merzenich’s research fundamentally changed how we view the brain’s ability to learn and adapt throughout life.

We long believed that brain development mostly stopped after age 25. Yet, Merzenich found that neuroplasticity continues well into old age. In his book Soft-Wired, he explains that the brain remains flexible and capable of learning throughout life. Learning is a dynamic process that works well even in older adults – if they commit to targeted practice around the material.

If you’re like me, you’ve experienced what happens without targeted practice many times. You read a book or complete a course. You feel like you've learned a lot. A week later, you remember less. A month later, it's barely there. And a year later, nothing. It’s frustrating when the time you put into learning seems wasted. Against this background, here are 6 proven ways to make knowledge stay.

How to do it

1) Leitner System
Organize flashcards into groups based on how well you know each topic. Review difficult ones more often and easier ones less. It’s more efficient to focus on areas you need the most improvement. And it sets expert performers apart from the rest. In his famous violinist study, K. Anders Ericsson found that the best musicians didn’t focus on just playing casually. Instead, they deliberately addressed the weaknesses in their play. If you want to learn more about the Leitner System, check out this article.

2) SQ3R Method
When trying to remember new material, engage deeply with it in five simple steps: First, survey by skimming for a quick overview. Second, question by creating questions to guide your reading. Third, read to find the answers. Fourth, recite by summarizing it in your own words. Last but not least, review to reinforce learning. If you want to delve deeper into the SQ3R Method, read this.

3) Cornell Note-Taking System
Divide your notes into sections: key points, details, and a summary. Review by covering the details and recalling them using only the key points. This encourages active engagement with the material and reinforces memory with review. The method is applicable in any lecture or seminar setting. It will also help you develop your summarizing and synthesizing skills. Learn more about the Cornell Note-Taking System here.

4) Dual Coding Method
Combine spoken words or sounds with visual elements, like diagrams, mind maps, or illustrations, to reinforce learning. It’s easier to recall information when you see it and hear it together. Your visual and auditory systems function independently. But they can work together to establish connections between words and images. If you want to go deeper on the Dual Coding Method, check out this article.

5) Method of Loci
Visualize a familiar route. Place pieces of information at specific landmarks along the way. Recall the info by mentally retracing the route. This method converts abstract information into vivid, visual memories linked to familiar locations, making recall easier. Also known as the Memory Palace, it’s one of the most effective memorization techniques. To learn more about the Method of Loci, check out this article.

6) Feynman Technique
Explain a topic in simple terms as if teaching someone new. Identify and fill any gaps in your understanding. The technique strengthens learning by simplifying complex information and ensuring you truly grasp the material and can recall it easily. Or, as Feynman’s fellow physicist and Nobel Laureate Albert Einstein put it: “If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you don't understand it yourself.” If you want to learn more about the Feynman Technique, read this.

Give one of these a try today.

Don't be a knowledge collector. Be a knowledge applier.

The more you learn, the more actions you take, the closer you get to your goals.

And please share this post with one person who might benefit from doing the same.

Until next week,
Christian

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