How To Remember What You Studied For A Long Time

Summary

In this video, John Graham, a USA memory champion and memory coach, shares powerful strategies to retain knowledge for the long term using spaced repetition. He explains how the brain forgets information over time and introduces the concept of spaced repetition to combat this. By following four key steps—taking focused notes, reviewing regularly, applying a rule of doubling review days, and using flashcards—students can maximize memory retention. Graham emphasizes the efficiency of this method, providing insights into its effectiveness and its application to learning various subjects, from languages to complex academic content.

Takeaways

• 😀 Spaced repetition is a powerful method for retaining information long-term, by strategically reviewing material over time.
• 😀 Repetition is key to mastering any skill, whether it's playing a musical instrument or cooking, and it applies to learning as well.
• 😀 The forgetting curve shows that we naturally forget information over time, but spaced repetition helps to slow this process and retain more knowledge.
• 😀 Review the information you’ve learned immediately after study and again the next day to keep it fresh and combat forgetting.
• 😀 Using the rule of thumb to double the days between reviews (1 day, 2 days, 4 days, etc.) helps to optimize retention.
• 😀 Flashcards are a great tool for spaced repetition, centralizing your notes and helping you focus on the most challenging material.
• 😀 Apps like Anki automate spaced repetition and make it easier to manage flashcards for efficient learning.
• 😀 Spaced repetition isn’t just for students, but for anyone looking to retain knowledge over the long term, including professionals.
• 😀 The 80/20 rule suggests focusing on the 20% of information that is new or difficult, which is most critical for long-term retention.
• 😀 Consistency in reviewing information using spaced repetition ensures that your retention curve improves over time, making learning more efficient.
• 😀 By using spaced repetition effectively, it’s possible to retain 90-95% accuracy in learning material over a short period (e.g., 4 months of practice).

Q & A

What is the main concept introduced by John Graham in the script?

John Graham introduces the concept of spaced repetition, a technique for retaining knowledge over time by reviewing information at increasing intervals.

Why is spaced repetition important for long-term knowledge retention?

Spaced repetition combats the forgetting curve by ensuring that information is reviewed periodically, helping to retain more information over a longer period.

How does the forgetting curve affect memory retention?

The forgetting curve shows that after learning something new, retention rapidly decreases unless the information is reviewed. Without review, memory loss occurs quickly over time.

What is the significance of reviewing material the day after learning it?

Reviewing the material the next day helps to refresh your memory before significant forgetting occurs, allowing you to maintain better retention.

How does doubling the review intervals improve retention?

Doubling the review intervals (e.g., 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 8 days, etc.) helps reinforce the memory and slows down the forgetting process, making the information stick longer.

What is the 80/20 principle mentioned in the script?

The 80/20 principle suggests that 80% of the material is something you already know or is intuitive, while only 20% consists of new, detailed, and challenging information worth focusing on.

What type of notes should students focus on during learning?

Students should focus on taking notes about key points, main ideas, and new information, particularly the 20% that is challenging or unfamiliar, rather than trying to remember every detail.

What role do flashcards play in the spaced repetition process?

Flashcards help centralize the information by summarizing difficult or key concepts. They are an effective tool to test and review knowledge during spaced repetition.

What is the recommended tool for creating and reviewing flashcards?

The script recommends using Anki, an app that automates the spaced repetition process and organizes flashcards for different subjects.

How long does it take to learn and retain 3,600 flashcards using spaced repetition?

According to the quote from the book *Fluent Forever*, practicing for 30 minutes a day over four months can help learn and retain 3,600 flashcards with 90-95% accuracy.