Why Your Brain Forgets What You Study — And 5 Science-Backed Ways to Remember Better

Do you remember instances when you’ve mastered your studies only to find yourself unable to recall them the next day? If yes, then you shouldn’t feel bad because there are reasons for your forgetfulness. Learning about our process of forgetfulness makes it clear that forgetting is not a sign of a lack of intelligence; rather, it results from ineffective means of learning. From the experience of a Harvard neuroscientist, it’s not so much about effort as it is about technique.

Why Are We Likely to Forget Things We Learn?

It is necessary to get to the root of the problem before solving it. Forgetting is scientifically proven; it is not an arbitrary occurrence but a natural phenomenon. The first reason for forgetting is inadequate encoding. If you try to learn something without concentrating and understanding, there is no encoding process taking place. In other words, scientists refer to this as pseudo-forgetting since the information was never memorised.

Another reason for forgetting is decay, which means that information fades in our minds if we fail to revise it frequently enough. Hence, cramming for exams is a bad idea for this very reason. Interference occurs when new information gets confused with old memories, making the recall process challenging if topics are related or studied closely in time. Overall, forgetting can be viewed as a result of shallow or superficial learning.

Tip 1: Make Your Learning Relevant, Not Rote

The best takeaways from neuroscientific findings are that relevant learning outlasts rote memorisation. By linking what you are trying to learn to some other piece of information, your brain forms better connections.

Rote memorisation and just reading do not engage your brain the way you want to. Try making the connections yourself, by relating whatever you learn to your daily life, or linking it with something else you already know. It will help you develop a deeper knowledge of the subject. Relevant learning gets recognised by the brain as something important and that’s exactly what it takes.

Tip 2: Try Different Learning Approaches That Fit Your Style

One does not fit all when it comes to studying, and recognising your unique learning style can greatly enhance how much you remember. It is time for you to change your study technique if you feel that what you are doing is not working. 

Multiple ways of engaging with a particular subject increase your memory power. Here are some ways to vary your learning experience:

• Express your ideas verbally
• Draw mind maps or flow charts
• Explain it to another person
• Listen to lectures or discussions on the topic

Remember, the more sensory input you use, the better your memory will be.

Tip 3: Setting Up an Effective Study Environment

The environment in which one studies is a key determinant of the effectiveness of the learning process. The mind must be free from distractions to be able to learn effectively regardless of the time spent on studying. An effective learning environment should be conducive to the brain, making learning efficient.

Such environments normally include:

• Low levels of noise and distractions
• Comfortable and organised settings
• Minimal use of phones and social media sites
• Periods dedicated to study

When the environment supports concentration, the brain will process information efficiently and effectively.

Tip 4: Use Spaced Repetitions Instead of Cramming

Perhaps one of the best methods to help with memory storage is through spaced repetition. Rather than trying to stuff all the information in your head at once, you will review the concepts at regular intervals throughout time.

In doing this, it helps improve memory retention slowly while avoiding the fast forgetfulness associated with cramming. This approach can also aid in helping your brain understand the significance of the information.

Spaced repetitions may simply follow a schedule like this:

• Review the information on the same day of study
• Study it the following day
• Go back to it after several days
• Then have it reviewed each week for reinforcement.

Tip 5: Analyse, Correct, and Learn from Mistakes

Learning is not just about studying until one learns everything on the topic at hand; reflection is needed for knowledge to turn into wisdom. Do not ignore errors but try analysing them to gain insight into your weak spots. The more you do this, the better your memory and self-confidence will become.

Some useful reflective questions after studying could be the following:

• “What have I learned well?”
• “What was difficult for me?”
• “Why did I forget something in particular?”
• “How should I study differently next time?”

Tip 6: Test Yourself Instead of Just Re-Reading

One of the biggest mistakes students commit is thinking that going over their notes means studying effectively. The fact is, your mind absorbs information more efficiently when it forces itself to actively recall that knowledge. This technique is called active recall, and it is considered one of the best memory techniques scientifically proven to work.

Rather than going back over your notes again and again, stop and test yourself on the topic you just went through. It will help reinforce neural connections, which makes it easier to remember information in the future.Below are several ways to use the technique of active recall:

• Summarise the content while you have your book closed
• Use flashcards to review information
• Do practice questions without referring to your notes
• Write down all the things you can remember without looking at anything else

Test yourself after each study period.

If you find it hard at first, then it means you’re doing the right thing.

Tip 7: Get Enough Sleep – Your Brain Is Learning While You Are Sleeping

Most students lack adequate sleep while revising, particularly prior to exams. Nonetheless, according to neuroscientists, sleep should be considered as part of the learning process since it helps consolidate all the data learned throughout the day. Therefore, without enough sleep, no matter how well you have revised, it will become hard for you to remember information.Effects of insufficient sleep include:

• Reduced focus
• Impaired problem-solving skills
• Impaired memory formation
• Poor decision-making

Rather than extending hours of study, get enough sleep as it improves your brain function much more than continuous studying.For good memory improvement:

• Get between 7-8 hours of sleep
• Avoid using cellphones immediately before sleeping
• Study the most important concepts before sleeping
• Have a fixed sleep routine

Take regular breaks when revising

Sometimes, doing nothing is the best option for your studies.

The Science behind Improved Memory

It should be known that memory is selective in nature. The brain will not remember everything; instead, it will choose to remember the important stuff. It is only when the data is repeated and applied that it will be remembered.

It is for this reason that passive learning may feel like such an ineffective practice. Inactive data is deemed as not worth remembering, while activity signals importance. As such, forgetting is actually a natural function of the mind, not a defect. However, the use of the correct methods could allow one to manipulate the brain into storing the important things.

Application of the Above Suggestions in Daily Study

The application of the above methods need not involve a complete overhaul of your study schedule. The first step should be concentrating on comprehension and not memorisation. Divide your study time into small segments and ensure that revision is part of your schedule. Use varied approaches when studying to help reinforce what you are learning. Above all, establish your own learning system.

Conclusion

It is normal to forget what you have learned, and it does not mean you lack determination and perseverance; it is just the way your brain stores information. As seen in neuroscientific studies, the main takeaway is that it all comes down to your approach to learning, not just how hard you try to remember something.

Making learning more meaningful and diverse, going back to previously learned material, and analysing one’s mistakes will greatly help you retain more information. And the good news is that there is nothing complicated about it—just some tweaks in your learning style that yield significant results.