Introduction

The human brain has an estimated storage capacity of about 2.5 petabytes (or a million gigabytes), which is roughly equivalent to 3 million hours of TV shows. The science of memory is both complex and fascinating, and its role in aiding the learning process is helpful to know about for students who want to optimize their studying. 

By understanding the various forms of memory, such as semantic and short-term memory, you can understand what practices are best to promote the retention of information. There are several study tools, techniques, and practices that enhance learning. 

On the other hand, certain practices and habits are not conducive to memorization and can detract from the retention of study material.

Types of Memory

Semantic memory

Semantic memory, another word for long-term memory, is most critical for learning because of its role in helping us connect key concepts and build off of fundamental ideas. It represents the storage of facts learned in school, events, people, and how they relate. Our perceived importance of the information can influence whether it gets committed to long-term memory. Also, the repetition of that information promotes its commitment to our memory. 

Working memory

Working memory, or short-term memory, refers to the storage of information for brief amounts of time. Examples include the name of a new acquaintance, an interesting fact or statistic, or the total amount the cashier tells you at the checkout. 

This form of memory is important for us to function in everyday situations. It can support our ability to solve problems and hold conversations.

Working memory specifically refers to the mental manipulation of information in our short-term memory. For students, some examples include following instructions or solving logical or mathematical problems. The capacity of this form of memory is much more limited than long-term memory. This is why cramming can be so detrimental to the learning process.

Procedural memory

Procedural memory is a form of long-term memory that allows us to perform actions without conscious thought, also referred to as “muscle memory.” This is important for mastering skills that require repetitive practice, like playing an instrument, conducting a common lab procedure, or typing words on a keyboard. Once an individual has repeated the action enough times, the action becomes more automatic. This allows our brain to devote its energy to other cognitive tasks. 

Episodic memory

Episodic memory is another form of long-term memory that involves the recollection of specific events or experiences from the past. Examples include powerful personal experiences or stimulating academic lessons. This form of memory is helpful to provide narrative structure to the learning process. For instance, remembering the context in which you learned a particular scientific lesson in class can promote your retention of the material. 

Memory Processes: Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval

Encoding is the first step of the memorization process and involves transforming the information into a form that can be stored in the brain. Different types of encoding relate to the different aspects of the information we recall. For example, while reading a text, we remember both the visual form of the letters and the meaning of the text. Proper encoding is essential to sufficient recall of the information later, which is why specific study techniques are more effective than others. 

Encoded memory moves to the storage stage. Information can be retained in short-term memory, long-term memory, or both. This stage is essential for applying knowledge or solving problems. 

Finally, the retrieval process refers to accessing the stored knowledge. All those hours of studying involve encoding and storing information. Meanwhile, recalling material to complete an exam prompts us to retrieve that information. You can utilize study techniques like practice tests to improve the retrieval process.

Neuroplasticity

The brain has the remarkable ability to reorganize itself and develop new connections throughout life. Our exposure to new information, environments, and stimuli promotes such new connections. Therefore, the process of learning reshapes and strengthens connections between our neurons. Everything from learning a new instrument to mastering new math problems changes the brain.

The neuroplasticity of the brain is great news for students! It means we can rewire the brain based on practice and repetition. If you commit to long-term study of biology or consistently write essays, your brain strengthens the neural pathways associated with these skills. This makes the learning process more efficient and improves your abilities.

This is a key concept for explaining why we’re able to surmount academic challenges. By practicing effective study techniques and remaining dedicated to mastering a topic, you can improve on even the most challenging topics!

Finding the Right Learning Style

Learning is a unique experience for each individual and can impact how well you retain information. This is why it’s so important to find a learning style that is tailored to your needs. 

Below are some examples of learning styles that you can apply to your study routine. Some students may prefer a single style of learning while others might prefer to mix learning styles based on the content being taught.

• Visual learners benefit from seeing information, such as through diagrams, charts, videos, and other visual aids.

• Auditory learners prefer to hear information. Lectures, discussions, or recordings are useful for this style.

• Reading/Writing learners excel when interacting with text. These learners should prioritize reading, taking notes, and organizing information in written form.

• Kinesthetic learners learn best through hands-on activities, physical movement, and direct interaction with the material.

Active Learning

Active learning methods such as summarizing, creating your own questions, and teaching others are all great ways of enhancing the memory process and making information easier to recall on test day.

Taking an active role in the learning process leads to a deeper understanding that promotes long-term memory. 

Additionally, the use of mnemonics—memory aids that help organize and recall information—is a valuable active learning tool. Check out Learvo’s extensive mnemonic library or the mnemonic generator for customized mnemonics based on your study material. 

What to Avoid

 The human brain is a powerful system and has the potential to retain vast amounts of information, but like any part of the human body, there is only so much it can take. 

While there are practices that aid encoding, storage, and recall, there are also those that hinder it. 

Cramming is one common mistake students make due to poor planning. Trying to absorb large amounts of material in a brief amount of time greatly harms our retention of information by overwhelming the brain. 

Try planning your study schedules to ensure you have enough time to study thoroughly before the exam. If cramming is necessary and cannot be avoided, try to get at least eight hours of sleep. Also, take short breaks to give your mind time to recharge. 

Multitasking during study sessions is also detrimental. While it might seem efficient to juggle multiple tasks at once, multitasking divides attention and decreases the quality of learning. The brain works best when it can focus on one task at a time. Try to plan your studying so that you can dedicate sufficient time to individual subjects.

Conclusion

By understanding the incredible abilities of the brain to absorb and recall astounding amounts of information, you should feel empowered to tackle the next topic in your studying journey. 

The science of memory is an intriguing field and researchers still have much to discover. Take full advantage of the brain’s unique abilities by customizing the learning process.