Memory

What is Memory?

Memory refers to the ability to encode, store and retrieve information. Focusing intentionally on new material, and creating meaningful connections between new ideas, information, and existing knowledge really improves our learning and memory. It’s also important to practice retrieving what we’ve learned, through strategies like self-testing, so we can access the information we need when we need to.

The Forgetting Curve

Every time you review the information you learned, the forgetting curve is refreshed and gets less steep. Shorter, more frequent study sessions are more effective than one or two long, last-minute cramming sessions.

Sample Ongoing Review Schedule​

• 1st  Review – Review your notes with the same day (or within 24hrs) and reduce notes to key words or a summary.
• 2nd  Review – At the end of the week, look over everything you learned that week and connect that information with the material from the previous week​.
• 3rd  Review – 2-3 weeks later, review and connect several weeks’ worth of material together.
• Exam Review – Beginning at least 7-10 days prior to the exam, conduct daily review of sections of the material, and conduct an overall review during the last few days​.