Overnight, the summary of the bank and energy - this unhealthy pattern is familiar to all. In school, university or at work, we all found themselves in a situation where had to learn a huge amount of information in a short time. In this case, almost all of us are turning to the centuries-old tradition of reading a textbook again and again in the hope that at least something will remain so in the head.
This learning method is not only tedious and monotonous but totally ineffective. He is absolutely does not correspond to how the functioning and our brain. Fortunately, the scientists who discovered it, ready to offer alternative ways to remember the information, taking into account the features of the brain. One of them - a method of spaced repetition - claims to be the best and will help you in learning a new language or to prepare for the exam.
What is the method of spaced repetition
To learn how to memorize information by spaced repetition, you will need to do the following: Share information into equal parts, to record each passage (in the form of question and answer) on the card, and then divide them into the thematic section. Make a schedule according to which will see maps in each of the sections. If you answer a question correctly, you have learned the information on a card, put off her aside. Such cards you view often. If the question on the card given to the difficulty, move it to the section for frequent visits.
The beauty of this system is that it can be arranged according to your needs. Why does it work? Because it is ideal for our brain and the mechanisms by which it operates.
How the brain works
Just to explain, how our main body, it is impossible. If we ask ourselves: "How does the brain" - the answer will most likely be something like, "How the computer." This is not surprising: we live in a digital world and easily connect two concepts on the associative level.
Nevertheless, we easily forget about the fundamental differences in the brain and the computer principles, which relate to the processing and storage of information. The computer stores the information that he was told to keep. However, we could hardly control the brain and its ability to retain information. That's why you can remember the lyrics Dmitry Malikov, heard a few years ago, but revive the memory of what had just learned by heart, can not.
How the brain creates memories
The second fundamental difference between the brain and the computer is how information is processed. Very nice to be thought of as our head neatly stacked I've found with the information in their own individual cell. But when we imagine that we open a file and We reach out the necessary data, we are very much mistaken.
Science tells us that memory - it is not one particular point in our brain. This is a result of the active operation, which is stored in different locations. When we learn something, it is not stored in one location, but quickly dissipated in various areas of the brain.
In addition, the brain capacity is limited, and to solve this problem is not yet possible. Scientists say we are able to store no more than five to seven data fragments at a time.
How to crack the brain
We know that the brain is basically keeps the information that it considers important. It strengthens the memories of those events and the things that are most common. Therefore, the repetition interval, based on a regular review of the information, uses this principle of the brain.
Spaced repetition - is a simple but very effective way, which if hacking mechanisms of brain functioning. It forces us to make an attempt to learn information over and over again, training the mind muscles. The brain reacts to these stimuli and enhances communication between nerve cells. Thus you create long-term memories and try this way of learning once, never again from him not refuse. Use auxiliary tools - applications that will help to organize the process and make it easier for him.
Price: Free
The trick is that you know what restrictions there are in your mind, and use these defects of the brain for their own benefit.