The Forgetting Curve, Studying Part 4 — ADD Tip o the Day 444

This applies to anyone wanting to learn anything, whether or not a student, or ADD, ADHD, or not.  For example, I’m trying to learn the towns of New Mexico.

To condense and oversimplify:

If you memorize something 100% and don’t use it, you will lose 50% in three days.

If at that time you learn it again, it will take you much less time to get to 1oo% and you won’t lose down to 50% for 7  days. 

If at that time you learn it again, it will take even less time and you will retain it for a long time; you will own it.

First, this is not just studying; this is learning.  One result is if you are studying for an exam, then when the final comes, you will only a little brushing up to be ready.

Second, everybody is different, so the best days for you might not be three and seven, but it will be close.

This means you set up a routine; learn the material, learn it again in three days, and again in seven days.  Takes a little discipline, but since the second and third times are so easy and fast, it doesn’t take too much time.    

doug

extra tip: abhi’s strategy of singing the list   clik

forgetting curves