I can imagine that as the exams creep closer, you are starting to feel a little overwhelmed and perhaps have that little voice in your head that says I can’t remember all of this. Well tell that voice they are incorrect, and I am going to give you a little science on memory and a suggestion to help with the overwhelm to ensure that you smash your exams!
To the best of our knowledge, there is no limit to the capacity of your long-term memory. No one has filled up their brain so much that if they learn one more fact, other information is going to start falling out of their ears.
When it comes to memory we are going to focus on two types, working memory and long-term memory. Think of these like a computer, working memory is your short term memory (RAM) in the computer, and long term memory is like your hard drive, where you want information to be to ensure it is stored correctly. 💻💾
Quite simply, whatever you are consciously thinking about right now is what is in your working memory. I tell my students it’s the information your brain is working with at this moment. Long-term memory is the storage system for information and experiences that can last for years or even a lifetime.
Why does this matter to you?
- Because if you want to ace that exam, we need to take information from our working memory and move it into our long term memory. Sounds simple right? (Spoiler it isn’t)
- The limited capacity of working memory is often cited as either being between five and nine bits of information or, more recently, defined as being around four “chunks” of information. Depending on the intensity of this information, it persists in working memory for around 15–30 seconds.
- Without repetition, this will simply disappear. Think about when you have to remember a number without writing it down. You may tend to say it out loud over and over to remember it enough to call that number or fill in that report. The next day it is unlikely you will remember it.
- This is what can happen with your CIPS revision.
How do we convert this to long term memory and strengthen recall?
- Retrieval practice: By allowing a memory, over time, to repeatedly be recalled from long-term memory and moved into working memory and then back to long-term memory may actually physically strengthen those connections in the brain and make access to that memory more durable, efficient, and effective.
Retrieval practice is about actively trying to recall information from your memory instead of just rereading it. Think of it like exercising your brain, just as lifting weights makes muscles stronger, recalling facts or concepts strengthens your memory.
Here’s how it works:
- When you pull information from your memory (like answering questions or using flashcards), you’re reinforcing the memory pathways in your brain.
- Every time you do this, the memory becomes easier to access in the future.
- It’s more effective than just rereading notes because active recall helps you remember longer.
Tips to use retrieval practice:
- Quizzes: Self-quizzing or practice tests.
- Flashcards: Write questions on one side, answers on the other.
- Teach someone else: Explaining forces you to retrieve and apply what you know.
- Spaced Repetition: Research shows that reviewing information at spaced intervals strengthens memory consolidation. No cramming!
- Interleaving Practice: Mix different topics or subjects during your study sessions (instead of focusing on just one topic)
For more detail, check out our FREE course Memory Master here
Students you can maximise your time and follow these instructions, including our study plans which are designed to help with retrieval practice.