Is it better to study or is it better to cram? How fast am I forgetting things that I learn? Find out the answers to these questions and more with this infographic on studying and memory.

1. I want to remember more things!
It is best to
review the
information
within 24
hours of
learning.
Reviewing
again the next
day, and then a
week later will
help solidify
the memory.
The best time to
finish cramming is
20 minutes or
less before the
test, so everything
is still fresh.
Reviewing
earlier and
more often
will help you
remember
information
much
longer– up
to several
years!
When is the best time to study?
STUDYING
VS CRAMMING
vs
How long does it take?
The content from a one hour lecture
Is it worth it to review? That’s up to you!
Cramming looks like a pretty good idea right now, but does it save time?
Total time required when...
cramming
reviewing
Day 1
10 min
Day 30
50 min
Day 2
5 min
Day 7
4 min
Whether you’re keen to learn or just want to pass your classes, there are optimal
times to study in order to meet your learning goals.
Wait, so how fast
am I forgetting
stuff?!
According to the Ebbinghaus
forgetting curve, if you don’t
review the information again...
After You recall
20 min
1 hour
9 hours
1 day
2 days
6 days
1 month
58%
44%
36%
34%
28%
25%
21%
There are a few tricks you can use to improve memory retention.
Sensory Memory
Creating the memory...
Strengthening the memory...
Memories are
connections between
different cells in your
brain.
These neurons pass
electrical signals to one
another.
The more you recall a
memory, the stronger
the connection
becomes.
Memories are never
lost, but connections
will degrade over time
and become harder to
recall.
Retrieval
Rehearsal
Attention
Working Memory Long-Term Memory
Less than 1 second A few seconds to a minute Potentially unlimited
How does memory work?
Day 1: the lecture
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Day 30: the exam
?? ?
If we follow the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve...
For those of you who are not geniuses, Ebbinghaus
developed the Forgetting Curve in 1885, demonstrating
the rate at which our brain forgets new information.
PROSCONS
Overall less time spent studying
Less stress before the test
Retaining information long-term
Need to be really organized
Extra time required to review
More time to do what you want
instead of studying!
No planning required!
More stress when cramming
No long-term retention
The Keener The Slacker
Sensory
Input
Mnemonics
To put it simply, mnemonics are techniques to make new information more
relatable. A common mnemonic device is using acronyms to memorize a list.
The letters in the acronym prompts the memory, and connects the information.
Active recall occurs when you engage your brain as you’re learning. Some
active recall strategies include answering questions in your head as you’re
learning, drawing out a diagram from memory, or explaining something you
just read to someone else.
Active recall
If you can relate new information to things you
already know, or things that are personally relevant
to you, it will be easier to recall because you will be
creating more connections to it in your brain.
Relate the topic to yourself
50minutes
19minutes
31minutes saved
when reviewing
Howmuchyou’llprobablyremember
Q.
A.
CREATED BY STINSON DESIGN
WWW.STINSONDESIGN.COM
www.brainconnection.brainhq.com/2013/03/12/how-we-remember-and-why-we-forget/
www.spring.org.uk/2012/10/how-memory-works-10-things-most-people-get-wrong.php
www.csub.edu/~bruff/The%20Forgetting%20Curve.pdf
www.elearningcouncil.com/learning-theory/overcoming-ebbinghaus-curve-how-soon-we-forget/
www.s-media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/88/36/af/8836af5ed2b11fecde84c6945bc4358d.jpg
www.coursehero.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/12.04-1.png
www.elearninginfographics.com/wp-content/uploads/Memory-Retention-and-the-Forgetting-Curve-Infographic.png
STUDYING CRAMMING
TRUE FACTS ON
ROYGBIV