Our brains are created of 86-100 billion neurons!
Before we get cocky about the amount we have,
know that other animals (whales, dolphins, and others) have more than we have.
We are set up to begin some types of learning at birth.
As our brains develop, and they are not done developing until we are in our early 20s, our ability to learn and remember increases.
In addition, toward the end of our brain's developmental period, our ability to do critical thinking develops.
For example, when we hear a knock on the door, the sound connects with our previous experiences associated with that sound.
If our previous experiences (learning) of opening the door are positive, we will feel happy (feeling) and run to open the door (action).
Donald Hebb, in his 1949 book The Organization of Behavior, states that the more times specific neurons connect with each other (synaptic activity), the easier the learning process happens. This is the basis of neuroplasticity.
A phrase often used to describe this is...
Neurons that fire together wire together.
As the connections between the neurons happen more often, they grow stronger; and the connections happen more quickly and easily.
Below are PDF options of transcripts of the video above Dan & Memory Video
Table Version
Story Version
For example, we encode sensory information when we encode memories.
We can use that understanding to connect a cologne scent (an environmental cue) to the information we are studying for an exam. Then wear the same cologne to the exam.
We can draw a picture or graph that shows information, and use that when studying. When we need to recall the information, we can visualize the picture.
We can create a simple song that contains information we need to remember. When we need the information, we just sing the song to ourselves.
Below are links to webpages explaining the A, B, Cs of 6 memory techniques.
Click on each one to learn how to improve your memory and increase your learning in each of those areas.