What techniques could someone use to effectively the information previously learned?
One strategy is to recreate some of the conditions that were present when you were studying. This triggers your memory and makes it easier to recall the information you were learning. For example, use the same pen, suck on a mint while studying and the same flavor mint when taking the test, wear the same color shirt, etc. It's all about using memory tricks to make it easier to recall information that is stored in your long-term memory. That's why setting things to music or using neumonic devices also helps you remember things.
Is there anything I can do after studying to help retain information?
No, there is not much you can do to retain information AFTER you finish studying. That’s like trying to find a way of eating a healthy meal after you’ve finished eating. The meal you’ve already eaten is done. You can’t make it more healthy or less healthy. It’s done. It’s the same with studying. To retain information, you must prepare well.Get some exercise about an hour before you sit down to study. But make sure that you are not tired when you do sit down to study. Your study environment should be quiet, relaxing, and organised for study. Eliminate all distractions during your study time. Calm yourself and focus. Read slowly. Understand everything you read. Look up whatever you do not understand — immediately — before you continue with that chapter, concept, etc. See if you can explain what you have learned — preferably to someone else. But even explaining to yourself is a challenge. If you are sure that you have understood, then you will have no problem remembering what you have learned.
I can’t focus on reading. I don’t remember what I’ve just read. What can I do?
I am a professional reader who has taught how to read hard books in philosophy and literature at the college level for over 20 years.Inability to focus on or retain what has been read is a common problem with students.In fact, I sometimes have this problem myself, and I know other professors do, too.I believe the fundamental problem here is sleepy passivity. If one reads passively, then one has trouble remaining actively engaged with the material.Professional readers know how to address this problem .Grab a pen or a pencil. (Pen is better than pencil, because less passive.)Boldly write all over the pages you are reading.Insert your own parentheses to make it easier to follow complex sentences. Circle words, especially unusual ones or ones that are repeated. Draw in arrows connecting one circled word to another; draw your lines right through the printed page. Write your own questions, comments, or punctuation marks (!?) in the margins. Count items as they appear. Add corresponding numbers in the margins when there is a list of things in the text. Note allusions to or differences with other books or authors. Sketch out the author’s arguments in your own words (with your counter-arguments or supporting arguments). Copy out definitions of words you don’t know (having looked them up, all of them).In short, use that pen to engage yourself actively in a written conversation with your author.When you are finished, the pages of your book will no longer look like everyone else’s pages. Nor will they seem like something that has been skimmed over passively. Your book will bear your own markings. These markings are a record of your active engagement. You cannot do this while asleep.This is a start on how to read actively. Try it and see if you don’t retain much more.By the way, some things are required for this technique.One is that you must actually own the books you read and abandon any idea of selling them back at the end of the semester. (You won’t be able to sell them, because they will be filled with your own markings.) This is a small price to pay for really reading a book worth your time.Also, you must possess the mindset of someone who is willing to mark up a book. This means seeing the book as a vehicle, a tool for thinking, as something that is properly to be used as such, not as an idol to be revered and left untouched.I hope this helps.
Human Psychology: Why is it so difficult to forget things as opposed to remembering them?
PULL / PUSHThese words often we see on daily basis on the doors & just remember how many times unconsciously we do PUSH instead of PULL? I am sure PUSH is our first choice irrespective of what is written (PULL or PUSH).Accordingly, here forgetting requires a conscious effort to PULL that particular thing (which we remember or more precise word is A THING / THOUGHT CURRENTLY FLOATING IN OUR RAM of our mind) and make it PUSH out of mind. But that thing is already nailed deep inside us and it hurting us thats why we want to forget it. Hence the very effort of forgetting that is making us hurt again and we unwantedly REMEMBERING it more and more.That is why sometimes it is difficult to forget because our conscious efforts are making it more remember and making things difficult.ALL WE NEED IS TO REMEMBER THE GOOD THINGS HAPPENED TO US, WHICH CAN OVER-WRITE THE RAM OF OUR MIND IN WHICH CURRENTLY BAD THINGS/THOUGHTS ARE FLOATING.(Img src - google)