The Science Behind Not Retaining Information and What You Can Do About It

Have you ever felt like you’ve just read a book or attended a lecture, yet you can’t seem to remember anything you’ve learned? This phenomenon is not unusual, and it’s a problem that many people face. The inability to remember or retain information is a common issue, and it’s something that affects professionals, students, and people in all walks of life.

There are many reasons why we may struggle to retain information, and it’s not always because we didn’t pay attention. Sometimes we listen carefully, take notes, and even repeat the information, yet we still can’t seem to hold onto it. Fortunately, there are several things we can do to improve our ability to remember and retain information.

One of the biggest reasons why we struggle to retain information is because of the way we learn. Studies have shown that we tend to forget half of what we’ve learned within the first hour of learning it. And within 24 hours, we can forget up to 70% of what we’ve learned. This is because our brains are wired to prioritize processing new information over retaining old information.

Another factor that affects our ability to retain information is how we consume it. We live in a world where we’re constantly bombarded with information, and we often consume it in bite-sized pieces. This makes it difficult to remember information because we’re not providing our brains with enough context or depth to create a lasting memory.

So, what can we do about it?

One of the best things we can do to improve our ability to retain information is to use active learning strategies. This means engaging with the material in a way that encourages us to process it more deeply. Some active learning strategies include asking questions, summarizing the information, and relating it to something we already know.

Another strategy that can help us retain information is to create connections between new information and existing knowledge. Doing this helps our brains create new neural pathways, which can make it easier to remember the information.

Additionally, taking breaks and spacing out our learning can help us remember information better. Studies have shown that spacing out learning sessions can improve memory retention by up to 50%. This is because it gives our brains time to process the information and create lasting memories.

In conclusion, the science behind not retaining information is complex, but there are many things we can do to improve our ability to remember and retain information. Active learning strategies, creating connections between new and existing knowledge, and spacing out learning sessions are all effective ways to improve memory retention. By incorporating these strategies into our learning routines, we can enhance our ability to remember and apply the information we learn.