I used to study for 6 hours every day. But when I tried to take a short exam on the last chapter, I could hardly remember what I had studied. I then realized that I was not distracted at all while studying. I had full attention in my studies. So, what could be the reason that I can’t remember what I studied? It became a concerning issue for me.
Then, I delved into the scientific reasons behind forgetting. I studied for an hour with zero distractions, yet I forgot what I had read after 3 or 4 hours. Well, studies show that we forget 56% of what we have studied in just 1 hour.
The main reasons are:
- We have to give a short revision after 1 hour of studying to reinforce what we have learned.
- We forget 70% of what we have studied throughout the whole day.
- After 1 week, we forget almost 80% of what we have read.
I found the main problems behind my memory loss in studying. So, I came up with some scientific solutions to that severe problem
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Water
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Food
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Revision
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Writing
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Study sessions
Let’s define them
Water
The brain contains 80% water. According to ASA (American Science Academy), boys need 3.7 liters of water daily, and girls need 2.7 liters daily. So, if we don’t take enough water, our minds don’t work properly. It becomes weak in remembering anything as it contains 80% water. Therefore, we should drink at least half a liter (500 ml) of water every 3 hours to keep our minds in shape.
Food
Some of the food we eat contains high glucose. As a result, some of these foods suddenly increase or decrease glucose in our bodies, negatively affecting our minds. So, we should eat foods like leafy greens, beans, eggs, whole grains, nuts, and fruits, which maintain a sustainable amount of glucose.
Revision
There are several revision tricks to remember what you have read. So, the solution to everyday forgetfulness is to revise what you have read throughout the day. The most effective solution to these problems is to briefly review what you have read before going to bed.
It is also mandatory to be consistent in our study. For example, if you study continuously for one or two weeks but then stop studying, you won’t benefit from it. Therefore, to remember for the long term, a student must be consistent and have the habit of daily revision.
Writing
Studying and writing down the important or main topics is the best combination for remembering. If you write down the important topics or questions from the material, it will be easier for you to memorize what you have read. Some may argue that writing while studying takes time, which is true.
However, let’s say you have studied continuously for 3 hours, and tomorrow you want to give a brief summary to your teacher about what you have read.
If you forget a certain topic, you will have to reopen the book and go through the entire topic again, which will take time. But if you write the main points in a notebook, then seeing them will help your mind automatically memorize what you want to say. So, while this method may take time temporarily, it will help you in the long run.
Study Sessions
Some have a habit of studying at any time, any place. This approach doesn’t really help in the long run. A wise student should divide their study sessions differently. They should actively study for 50% of their study time, then give a proper revision of what they read. Lastly, taking a self-exam every day will improve memory retention.
Giving multiple-choice questions and written questions will enhance everyday learning and make a student realize their mistakes.
In this modern world studying smartly and scientifically can lead to achieving goals. I as a topper follow this regularly. My teachers and parents are always not only happy but also proud of my results. And I’ve seen many of my seniors getting good grades by following these type of methods.
