How to Remember What You Study for Longer

One of my high school friends could memorize almost an entire page of a textbook in a very short time. While the other students had to read the page several times, he memorized it much more quickly. He later became a judge.

Of course, he did not become a judge because of his memory alone. He probably also had good understanding, concentration, and consistent study habits. Still, his excellent memory certainly helped him in his studies. Some people have exceptionally good memories, but they are rare. We do not need to compare ourselves with them and think, “I am not smart.” The important thing is not to memorize everything at once but to learn how to help our own brain remember.

Is My Memory Really Poor?

Some students say, “I have always had a poor memory.” But we remember the names of our close friends, the words of songs we like, the characters in games we often play, our phone password, and the route we travel every day.

Why do we remember these things? First, we are interested in them. We also see, hear, say, and use them repeatedly. We did not memorize a friend’s name all at once. We remembered it naturally by saying the name, connecting it with the person’s face, and meeting that person repeatedly.

Most people do not completely lack memory. They may simply not have reviewed their schoolwork in a way that helps the brain remember it. Memory is the process of storing what we learn and recalling it when we need it. Our memory ability affects how quickly and accurately we can store and recall information. People have different abilities, but everyone can improve with the right practice.

Forgetting Is Natural and Sometimes Helpful

When we cannot remember today what we studied yesterday, we may feel disappointed and think, “Maybe I am not smart.” But forgetting does not mean that we are not smart. Our brain does not keep everything we see and hear for the same length of time. Information we do not use gradually becomes unclear, while information we use repeatedly stays with us longer.

Imagine remembering every scene, every word, every mistake, and every painful experience from your entire life as clearly as when it first happened. So many memories could make it difficult to focus on what you need to do today. Life could also become very painful if every hurtful memory always felt new.

Forgetting is natural and can sometimes be helpful. It is one of the brain’s important functions that helps us live in the present. The problem is not that we cannot remember everything. The important question is how we can keep what we need to remember.

Reading Something Ten Times at Once Is Not Enough

Repetition is necessary for memory. However, repetition does not mean sitting in one place and reading the same thing ten or twenty times. I used to study that way because I misunderstood repetition.

When we read the same sentence many times in a row, it begins to look familiar. We may think we know it, but after we close the book and some time passes, we often cannot remember it. Closing the book and trying to recall the information once can be more helpful than reading it ten times in a row.

Recall It Again After Some Time

To remember something for a long time, we need to leave time between each review. After studying, close the book and try to recall what you learned. Check only the parts you could not remember. Recall the information again later that day and the next day. A few days later, answer questions about it or explain it to someone. Check it again one week later.

When we recall information just as we are beginning to forget it, the memory becomes stronger. People who remember what they study are not people who never forget. They are people who recall important information when they are beginning to forget it.

Keep God’s Word in Your Heart

The Bible tells us to keep God’s Word in our hearts and speak about it at different times throughout the day: “Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Teach them carefully to your children. Talk about them when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.” — Deuteronomy 6:6–7

We can think about God’s Word at home, while traveling, before sleeping, and after waking up. When we recall the Word at different times and places, it becomes deeply rooted in our hearts. God did not tell His people to repeat His Word only so that they could memorize more information. He wanted them to remember it and live according to it.

Studying is also not complete when we only memorize information. We should be able to recall what we have learned, use it when necessary, and apply it to our lives.

Five Steps to Remember What You Study

Choose a small amount to learn, such as ten English words, one paragraph from a textbook, or one Bible verse. Do not try to memorize too much at once.

1. Read to understand. Read the material carefully. If you find a word or idea that you do not understand, learn its meaning first. Information is difficult to remember when we do not understand it.
2. Close the book and recall. After reading, close the book. Say what you remember aloud or write it on a blank sheet of paper. It is all right if you cannot remember everything. The effort to recall is an important part of learning.
3. Check only what you missed. Open the book and check what you forgot or got wrong. Do not immediately read everything again. Focus on the parts you could not remember. Then close the book and try to recall them once more.
4. Recall it again after some time. Before looking at the book, try to recall the information from memory. For example, recall it after studying, later that day, the next day, three days later, and one week later. If you remember it easily, wait longer before the next review. If you cannot remember it, review it again sooner.
5. Use what you learned. Answer questions, explain the lesson to a friend, or summarize it in one sentence. Using information helps it stay in your memory longer than simply reading it again. If you cannot explain one part, check only that part again.

You do not have to remember everything perfectly the first time. Do not give up when you forget. Try to recall it again.

Instead of reading the same thing ten times in one sitting, read it with understanding and recall it several times over several days.

Reflection

Do I give up studying easily because I believe that my memory is poor?
Choose one Bible verse or study topic to remember this week, and decide when you will recall it again.