A person needs to remember the things he goes through, whether it is study materials, work information, the names of the people he meets, his appointments and tasks, or something else. But with so many responsibilities and tasks that often overlap, we often forget, even if we write this information down or create our own to-do list. Scientists say that the human brain is capable of holding billions of pieces of information, but why can’t we remember them? We do not forget because the information has already flown from our brains. It is already there. The mind records all the sensory inputs it passes through during the day, such as sounds and views, in the temporary working memory and the long-term memory. The American researcher in the field of memory, Elizabeth Loftus, explains four reasons for forgetfulness and how knowing them helps to avoid them and improve our ability to remember and memorize.
Reasons for forgetfulness
1. Failure to retrieve information
Perhaps this is the most famous reason for forgetfulness. One of his explanations is the fading of memory due to not regaining it for a long time or not repeating it until the memory completely disappears, although the information remains inside the brain.
2. Obfuscation
The information stored in the memory gets confused if it is similar to other information recorded in the memory, so that the old information gets confused with the new one or vice versa.
3. Failure to register data
The information may not register correctly in your long-term memory. For example, look at a picture and try to draw it using your imagination. You probably won’t remember the exact details because they have not yet been registered in your long-term memory.
4. Triggered forgetfulness
A person often desires to forget painful experiences, so he does not try to remember them.
The University of North Carolina Learning Center outlines some tips and strategies that may help improve memorization, including:
Oblivion solutions
1. Absorbing information
Understanding the information first, organizing it, and sequencing it helps make it easier to remember and recall later. If you are trying to memorize the elements of accounting, first understand the accounting process and its components to make it easier to remember.
2. Find a link
Relate the information you’re trying to remember to something you already know. For example, if you’re trying to remember a date and that date is similar to your friend’s phone number, associate the two pieces of information together.
3. See the information before going to sleep.
Studies show that the brain also records information during sleep. You can review the information you want to remember before going to sleep, even for a few minutes.
4. Self-test
Test yourself occasionally on the information you want to remember. Ask yourself about the information and try to retrieve it without reading it. But wait several hours or a day or two before testing.
5. Distributive practice
You can repeat the information and leave space between each iteration and the next. You can use notebooks or take tests.
6. Writing
Write down the information several times. This feeds the brain more and helps you remember it later.
7. Compilation
You can group information according to its similarity, relevance, or something else depending on the material you’re working on.
8. Studying
Mnemonics are systems or tricks for remembering information. For example, if you’re trying to remember the names of different types of flowers, you might put together the first letter of each flower and build a word out of it.
9. Talking to oneself
It may seem strange at first, but if you’ve been spending some time away from people, You can discuss the information with yourself or imagine explaining it to someone else.
10. Interleaving
Interleaving is basically mixing irregular things, like putting a blue bead in the middle of a group of red beads. You can mix up concepts you’re trying to remember; for example, if you’re taking a science subject, suddenly switch to history, then back to science, and so on.
11. Lyrics
We don’t mean to memorize or sing songs here, but if you’re trying to memorize a long list of things, make a song for it! It does not have to be a piece of music that wins awards; rather, the goal here is to link it to a rhythm that makes it easier for you to memorize it.
12. The five senses
Try to include as many senses as possible in the process of remembering. If you are studying a chemical process, touch the lab tools (of course, if they are safe) or different materials and try to hear the sound of your finger on them.
13. Visual analogies
This approach is very helpful in understanding the concept and making it easier to memorize. For example, you can think of a map of Italy as a tall boot.
14. Emotional attachment
Studies show that if you associate information with an emotion, it is easier to remember. For example, you might associate information about Martin Luther King with an emotion of bravery, daring, or defiance.
15. Technology
The use of technology is a strong motivator for remembering, especially for children, as it involves many senses in the process of remembering. However, excessive use of technology, particularly in younger children, may impair their intellectual abilities.
16. Focus
Pay attention to the information and focus on it while studying it. Studies and personal experiences show that this makes it easier to remember later.
Depending on your personality, education, experiences, and mind, all or some of these strategies may work for you. You can follow these strategies and see which one works best for you. Share your experiences.
Read also: What are problem solving skills and how do they develop?
