Every student has experienced this at one point or another. Hours are spent studying a subject, only to find that most of it is lost right after the exam. The problem is often seen as a lack of effort. But research suggests the problem may lie elsewhere, in how learning is approached.According to Harvard University, retaining what is learned is not just about storing information. It’s also about how that information is used later. Tracy Tokuhama Espinosa, a professor of neuroscience who studies learning and memory, frames the question in two parts. “How do you make information meaningful and bring it to your mind? How do you bring it back into a new context?”“The ultimate litmus test of learning is applying the information in a new context, not performing it in a classroom setting,” she adds.
Learning is not just about memorizing.
Tokuhama-Espinosa emphasizes that knowledge retention begins with a broader shift in how students think about learning. “It starts with self-investment and a long-term attitude change about being critical of your own learning,” she says.She draws on the idea of ”know thyself,” suggesting that students need to examine their own habits and circumstances. Sleep, diet, study environment and peer interaction all play a role in information retention. Instead of following a set routine, students are encouraged to adjust their approach based on what they need at a given time.
The brain does not have a single learning style.
A common assumption about learning is that individuals have specific styles, such as visual or auditory. However, current research does not support this idea.“Your brain will love to learn through all your senses,” says Tokuhama-Espinosa. “The more input, the better.”Learning through multiple senses creates different neural pathways for the same concept. This increases the chances of recalling the information later. Rather than relying on a single method, combining reading, discussion, writing, and visual aids can strengthen retention.Research from Johns Hopkins University suggests that learning involves building connections between neurons. The more often these connections are used, the stronger they become.
Five Ways to Improve Retention
Based on these principles, Tokuhama-Espinosa outlines practical methods that students can apply.distance Repetition
- Reviewing the material over time reinforces it. “When you exercise, you increase the speed with which you remember because you increase the myelin sheath,” she explains. This makes it easier for the brain to access stored information. More complex topics may require longer intervals between revisions.
Practice tests and low-stakes testing
- Assessment is not only a way to measure learning, but also a way to create it. Attempting the questions, even informally, helps consolidate memory and identify gaps.
Teaching others
- Another requires an explanation of the concept to explain the concept. It also exposes areas that are not fully captured. This makes it a useful way to reinforce learning.
Active note taking
- Writing notes in an organized manner helps to organize information. Methods such as outlining, mapping or using question-based formats allow students to engage more actively with the material rather than passively copying it.
Receiving and applying feedback
- Feedback can be used to improve future performance. Tokuhama-Espinosa calls this “feed forward.” “One of the best ways to learn is to take the time to assess what you didn’t do, or where you didn’t spend time,” she says.
Making learning meaningful
Another factor that affects retention is whether the content feels relevant. Students are more likely to remember what they can relate to their own lives.For example, a text or historical event may seem distant at first. But pointing out similarities with current situations or personal experiences can make it easier to understand and remember. “If you’re able to help yourself find that personal connection, you increase the likelihood that you’ll be able to remember it,” says Tokuhama-Espinosa.
Environment and the role of autonomy
The environment in which students study also matters, but there is no single ideal setting. Some tasks may require quiet attention, while others may benefit from discussion or group interaction.Tokuhama-Espinosa says students need to take control of their own learning. “Students need to become more independent in their learning and they need to become more independent in how they assess themselves,” she says.This includes creating opportunities for engagement, even in lecture-based settings. Activities such as self-testing, peer discussions or rewriting notes can help make learning more active.
which changes over time.
The effect of these methods is not always immediate. Students may not feel the difference after one study session. But over time, these approaches can change how information is processed and maintained.For many students, the challenge is not the ability to learn, but the method used to do so. The transition from memorizing for a test to applying knowledge in new situations can be gradual. But it is this change that determines whether learning persists or ceases.
