We've all been a student at one point in our lives, and we know how it can be sometimes difficult to retain something of value. But why is this, and why is it that our memory fails us when ever we need it most? Well, there are a couple reasons why our memory fails us and one of those reasons just happen to be due to the amount of general knowledge we have. So-- less you know, the less likely your are to remember. Of course that’s not the case with any gifted child but when it all comes down to the average person, its most likely the case.

"So how is it that my memory is effected by the amount of knowledge I have?" Well, it doesn't. The key is using general knowledge to help remember something new. According to Psychologists there are two ways of memorizing or retaining information, 1) by pegging, and 2) logical association.

Pegging involves the "repetition of information and usually requires long and laborious drill to acquire the information" (ie: remembering phone numbers, the alphabet, plate numbers etc..). Logical association however allows you to "link new facts with something already in the mind" (ie: learning meteorology by linking it with thermodynamics or vice versa).

Logical Association not only requires less time and effort but it's also the most effective and efficient way of retaining new information. But why only go as far as using general knowledge to optimize your memory retaining habits?

Memory optimization isn't the only reason why you should continuously learn something new. Learning across a wide range of subjects gives you a broad knowledge of unfamiliar situations that feeds innovation by inspiring us to think creatively and providing examples to follow. It can help us more easily and readily adapt to new situations, and make us more confident. Learning how to play the guitar or how to draw and paint artistically will help you gain confidence in your creative thinking, above all--- it will inspire you to think outside the box. Its been proven that the majority of artistically creative individuals are more likely to survive primitively than those who only invest in increasing their intellect academically. After all, "creativity is more important than knowledge" -- says Einstein.

I’m providing some links below to help aid with your learning. Sometimes I have difficulty finding something new to learn so I would usually go to these sources.

1. Wikipedia's “Featured Article”
Once a day Wikipedia will email you a featured article which to me is way better than thinking of something you wanna know in Wikipedia. Not a fan of Wikipedia, not to worry... answers.com has something similar.

2. Read something interesting: "Did you Know that?"
This is a quick way of learning facts our of the blue. Its interesting and mildly entertaining. If you’re like the rest of us "Get things done" type of person and always on-the-go, then you can subscribe to Brain Food Podcast. Its a similar form of entertainment but in an audio form not ever a lazy bastard can resist.

3. Learn a new Language
Being bi-lingual I know for a fact that there some words in Arabic, Tagalog, and Spanish that you just won't be able to translate into English. Learning a new language is tough but it will defiantly expand your horizons. If your not into text based learning and you have an iPod, then try these out.

4. Learn a new word
Its no brainer, learning new words not only help you find a better vocabulary to express yourself, it also helps you think in other ways you haven’t done before.

5. Expand your Abstract thinking
Phrazes.org put together a phrase of the week subscription that simply highlights the days most favored phrases.

6. Learn & TRY to survive primitively
I say 'TRY' because there’s a difference between learning something, and taking part n actually trying it out.

7. Hack your brain
Its like defragging your computer, optimizing it to work more effectively and efficiently.

8. Understanding the Brain
You can’t optimize something when you don’t know how it works.

Tip: When learning something new, take a 5-15 min break in between hours. Its important you give your self a break in order for your brain to retain everything its just learned. Continuing to learn more information without a break will require your brain to forget something you just learned earlier.

Labels: all, learning, lifeline, memory, tips