Studying & Memory

Regularly reviewing what you learn is essential to remembering it!

Why do you need to review your notes from class?

Much research has been done about memory. 

Ebbinghaus' Forgetting Curve diagrams how quickly most of us forget what we learned. 

As you can see below, we can lose 67% of what we learned within 24 hours - just one day! 

• According to the Ebbinghaus Forgetting curve: • 100% of people retained the knowledge obtained immediately after learning. • 20 minutes after learning, only 58% of people were able to remember. • 1 hour after learning, only 44% of people were able to remember. • 9 hours after learning, only 36% of people were able to remember. • 1 day after learning, only 33% of people were able to remember. • 2 days after learning, only 28% of people were able to remember. • 6 days after learning, only 25% of people were able to remember. • 31 days after learning, only 21% of people were able to remember.

So, how do we remember anything?

Reviewing the information several times (1st-within 24 hours, 2nd-in 3 days, 3rd-in 6 days, etc.) creates permanent knowledge.

This is a picture of a man jumping up from a chair in front of a table and spoons with spices in them. Title is Spice Up Your Study Skills. It is a link to the Study Skills informational webpage.

For study tips go to our Studying Skills Self Help Video module

Or the Study Skills section of this website

This is a picture of a woman running from her desk with a computer. Title is Take Control of Your Life. It is a link to the Time Management informational webpage.

If you need help scheduling time to study, check out our Time Management Self Help Video module

Or the Time Management section of this website

TIPS:  Academic skills centers and other authorities on effective study skills consider reviewing and editing class notes to be the most important part of note taking and essential to increasing learning.