3 answers
Aliyah
Student
Fairfax, Virginia
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What are the best study methods for remembering a lot of information, for a long time, not just until the test?
I'm a high school senior looking to go to nursing school, where I know I'll need to learn a lot of information, and later in my career be able to recall any of it at any time. The problem is, a month or two after the test, I have trouble remembering all of the information I learned. I've tried to Google study methods to help me internalize things for the long run, but I haven't actually found anything that I feel works. How do nurses remember everything they need to know?
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3 answers
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
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Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
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Wong’s Answer
One of the most effective methods is active recall. This means testing yourself on the material rather than just rereading it. For example, after studying a topic, close your textbook and try to write down or explain everything you remember. If you can't recall something, go back and review it, then test yourself again. This creates stronger memory pathways than passive review.
Another method is interleaving, or mixing different subjects or topics rather than focusing on one thing at a time. For example, instead of spending a full day on just anoatomy, try alternating between anatomy and other subjects. This helps your brain learn to differentiate information and apply it flexibly. This is a skill that is essential in clinical settings where knowledge needs to be recalled in real time.
Elaboration is also essential. This means connecting new information to things you already know, or explaining it in your own words.
If possible, practice with scenarios or case studies, or try teaching the material to someone else. Explaining it helps you remember better.
Another method is interleaving, or mixing different subjects or topics rather than focusing on one thing at a time. For example, instead of spending a full day on just anoatomy, try alternating between anatomy and other subjects. This helps your brain learn to differentiate information and apply it flexibly. This is a skill that is essential in clinical settings where knowledge needs to be recalled in real time.
Elaboration is also essential. This means connecting new information to things you already know, or explaining it in your own words.
If possible, practice with scenarios or case studies, or try teaching the material to someone else. Explaining it helps you remember better.
Mehr Bd
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Mehr’s Answer
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all method. A big first step is figuring out how you learn best (for example, by listening, by writing things out, by teaching others) and then choosing study strategies that match that. What works for someone else might not work for you in the same way.
Being really present in class and actually paying attention helps a lot with remembering information. But the most important part is using what you learn. If you only study for tests and never apply the material in real situations, it’s very normal to forget it after a month or two.
Nurses remember things because they use the same information over and over again on the job. That repetition in real-world contexts helps it stick. The nurses you see have probably been doing this for years, and with time and practice, you’ll build that kind of memory too. Good luck!
Being really present in class and actually paying attention helps a lot with remembering information. But the most important part is using what you learn. If you only study for tests and never apply the material in real situations, it’s very normal to forget it after a month or two.
Nurses remember things because they use the same information over and over again on the job. That repetition in real-world contexts helps it stick. The nurses you see have probably been doing this for years, and with time and practice, you’ll build that kind of memory too. Good luck!
Dr Fisch
Flight Attendant
75
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Denver, Colorado
Updated
Dr’s Answer
The saying "use it or lose it" is true. If you're not regularly going over the same stuff, your mind has no reason to keep it active. Nurses know their stuff because the same kind of stuff comes up over & over again. Don't feel bad about forgetting things over time. It's natural and how our brains evolved.
Sometimes the mind remembers things longterm when intense emotions are paired with them. Also smells & scents stick in the mind for a very long time, for some reason.
For all the things you want to remember, try writinf them down on index cards and every once in a while pull a card to refresh. There are probably apps for this too.
Sometimes the mind remembers things longterm when intense emotions are paired with them. Also smells & scents stick in the mind for a very long time, for some reason.
For all the things you want to remember, try writinf them down on index cards and every once in a while pull a card to refresh. There are probably apps for this too.