Knowing how to absorb and retain new information is one of the keys to being successful in school. At LifeWorks, we help students master the art of memorizing by offering holistic support informed by an understanding of the brain’s chemistry. With the right information and support, anyone can make memory one of their superpowers.

The Science of Memory

The neurological basis of memory formation

The brain builds memories in three steps:

Encoding means turning new material into a clear, meaningful form.
Consolidation means strengthening memories later, especially during sleep.
Retrieval means bringing information back to mind when you need it.

A few brain areas help with these processes. The hippocampus is like a filing system that stores new memories. The prefrontal cortex is like a coach that guides focus and planning. The amygdala works like an alarm that tags emotionally important moments. When study time is calm, organized, and meaningful, these systems work together and retention improves.

Neurotransmitters are the brain’s chemical messengers, and these also play an important role in learning. A few key neurotransmitters:

Dopamine supports motivation and reward. Small wins and specific praise help it flow.
Norepinephrine supports alertness. Too little and you drift, too much and recall drops.
Acetylcholine supports attention and learning. Quiet spaces and clear tasks help it do its job.

What does brain science tell us about studying?

First of all, good study habits matter more than the length of time spent studying. Two focused 25 minute blocks beat a scattered two hours. Memory thrives on single tasking (no toggling between apps), clear goals (“by the end I can explain this idea in two sentences”), and quick reflection (“what clicked, what needs another pass”).

Secondly, the right learning environment can make all the difference. When we feel calm, engaged, autonomous, and socially connected, we actually have an easier time learning and memorizing.

Thirdly, when digesting written material, the best approach is to read for structure, retrieve in small sets, and review on a schedule.

Finally, don’t forget that the brain is part of the body. Take care of the body to take care of the brain. Memory benefits greatly when we

Get enough sleep
Take time for physical movement
Maintain a healthy diet
Remember to stay hydrated

10 Ways to Improve Memory Retention While Studying

Retrieve, don’t just re-read. Cover the page and explain it in your own words. This is the single most important memory tip we have to offer!
Space practice. Short sessions spread out beat one long cram.
Interleave. Mix topics or problem types so you learn to tell them apart.
Dual code. Pair words with simple visuals such as arrows or boxes.
Make an error log. Note the reason for each miss and the fix.
Study for the format. Practice how you will be tested.
Teach someone. Explaining is powerful retrieval.
Track one win per session. Keep it small, specific, and real.
Practice chunking. Breaking a big task into bite size steps
Support short term memory by externalizing. Writing the steps so your mind carries less all at once.

Memory Enhancement Techniques from Cognitive Science

Three Memory enhancement techniques used by top performers

Deliberate practice means working the exact weak link with feedback. It can feel good to focus on the easier stuff, but that’s not where the real opportunities are.
Self explanation means saying why each step makes sense. This kind of self-dialogue may feel strange at first, but it’s very powerful.
Pre mortems mean asking “If I miss this, why?” and then avoiding the error. Preventing the error in the first place is often more effective than re-checking work to catch errors that have already been made.

The Importance of Spaced Repetition

Timing matters here. Review just before you would forget. A sample path might look like this: Day 1, Day 3, Day 7, Day 14. Keep the sessions short and target the material that actually slips.

Keep in mind that memorizing is a skill—just like shooting free throws or playing the piano—which is to say that it responds to practice. The more we practice, the better we get. With the right understanding of the brain, we can make the most of our practice and see big improvements, in school and beyond.

Get in touch with us at Lifeworks.

FAQs

1) What is the fastest way to remember what I study for a test?
Use short, focused blocks and retrieval. Read for structure, then close the page and explain the idea in your own words. Follow with a brief spaced review tomorrow.

2) How many hours should a teen study each day to improve memory?
Quality beats quantity. One to two focused blocks of 25 to 40 minutes with real retrieval and a mini review will outperform longer, distracted sessions that focus more on re-reading notes.

3) What is retrieval practice and why does it work?
Retrieval practice means bringing information to mind without looking. It strengthens memory pathways and shows what you truly know, which tells you what to review next.

6) When should we talk to a professional about memory concerns?
If forgetfulness is persistent, getting worse, or interfering across classes and activities, speak with a licensed healthcare professional. We can help connect students to additional evaluation and medical support when necessary.

References

[1] The Lifeworks Method (lifeworks.life)
[2] American Psychological Association, Learning and Memory (apa.org)
[3] Dunlosky et al., 2013, Improving Students’ Learning with Effective Learning Techniques (journals.sagepub.com)
[4] Karpicke and Roediger, 2008, The Critical Importance of Retrieval for Learning (science.org)
[5] Cepeda et al., 2006, Spacing Effects in Learning and Memory (annualreviews.org)
[6] Sweller et al., 2011, Cognitive Load Theory and Instructional Design (frontiersin.org)
[7] Bjork and Bjork, 2011, Desirable Difficulties in Theory and Practice (psychologicalscience.org)

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