How to improve your learning retention
What's the story
Learning retention means keeping new information in your long-term memory, so you can remember it later and use it.
If you don't retain it, it stays in your short-term memory and fades away after a while.
The truth is, that our brains forget things pretty quickly. But don't worry, you can enhance your brain's learning retention capacity through various techniques and practices.
Microlearning
Try microlearning
Microlearning offers you bite-sized, laser-focused pieces of information served in the form of short videos, quizzes, bulleted points and infographics.
Because it is in tiny chunks, you find it engaging, flexible and convenient. It is quick, easy and fits easily into your schedule and preferred pace.
For instance, watching a quick tutorial video or checking out summarized information from a longer piece.
On the go
Applying learning to the real world
When you learn as you go about your daily tasks, remembering things becomes easier. Why? Because you are learning and using what you learn right away.
Learning becomes a part of your routine, available whenever you need it.
Say you have a question - being able to quickly find the answer in an online knowledge base makes learning simple and helps you remember better.
Spaced learning
Spaced learning
Spaced learning is based on the idea that repeating information over time helps in better information retention.
For example, your strength improves with small daily workouts, not just a single major session.
Similarly, spaced learning breaks down longer training into smaller parts with breaks in between.
Revisiting these parts multiple times over days or weeks helps you remember and use the info more effectively.
Mix
Blended learning
Blended learning brings together the best of both traditional in-person teaching and modern digital methods.
In this approach, you might attend regular classes, engage in discussions with classmates, and dive into online videos, quizzes, and assignments.
When you learn in various ways, like seeing and doing, blended learning helps you remember information more, leading to better learning retention results.
Teaching
Teaching others
Teaching someone else what you have learned is a powerful trick.
When you explain things to others, it means you really understand the concept. Teaching reinforces your learning because you have to explain it clearly.
Even chatting online can help you remember more because you are using the information in different ways.
Sharing what you have learned helps it stick in your memory.