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Re:Ask HN: Is it possible to train and improve your memory a... by Bandrsnatch on Wednesday May 11, 2022 @02:02PM (#31343593)
I have developed my own technique that has worked well for my children and myself. I ask myself after reading a chapter, doing homework or learning new information the following questions. What have I learned? How does this help me? What do I do with this new knowledge? The result is that by thinking about what I have learned I understand it better and it becomes lodged in my memory. I basically make the new information part of my thinking and observing life. When you think how can I use or apply this new information it becomes part of your working knowledge and is not easily forgotten. I have tried many of the other ways of memorizing but have found that if you come to learning with a joy and a willingness to immerse oneself you don't have to work that hard. Always asking questions puts your mind in a state to learn and remember. I hope that this is helpful.
Re:Ask HN: Is it possible to train and improve your memory a... by mateo1 on Wednesday May 11, 2022 @06:38PM (#31346847)
This is what works for me too. My ability to recall information from material I consume took a big hit after years of reading things online that can be forgotten inconsequentially, with no direct implications in real life and no post-reading discussion with peers or teachers such as in a school or academic environment.

What I found is that without a direct challenge to your understanding after reading something, be it through formalised tests, questions or social competition, you forget to learn. Your attention and learning mechanisms become defective.

Asking yourself a few simple questions about what you just read and how it is useful or important to you helps a lot.

Re:Ask HN: Is it possible to train and improve your memory a... by zmgsabst on Wednesday May 11, 2022 @02:43PM (#31344094)
According to a teacher friend, asking these questions before helps as well.

Eg, “Why am I going to learn this?”

The other good question I’ve heard is “how does this relate to other things I know? — are there connections?”

Re:Ask HN: Is it possible to train and improve your memory a... by DLTADragonHawk on Wednesday May 11, 2022 @02:20PM (#31343829)
Funnily enough, I think this may be accidently done by parents for their kids learning improvement. When they get home at a young age parents, or atleast mine, would ask what I learned in school. My memory from times I answered faithfully vs started answering "nothing" seems to be rooted deeper. Could simply be due to age though.
Re:Ask HN: Is it possible to train and improve your memory a... by drakonka on Thursday May 12, 2022 @07:26AM (#31352383)
I think this is a version of what I do via blogging. When I learn something new, writing a blog post about it tends to help it stick better as well as exposing and clarifying remaining misunderstandings.
Re:Ask HN: Is it possible to train and improve your memory a... by ishjoh on Wednesday May 11, 2022 @02:04PM (#31343619)
Thanks, I will definitely try this.