The Art of Remembering Better: Three Research-Supported Ways to Improve Memory
- Parenting Absolute Group
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
Memory is often mistaken for an inborn talent, something one either has or doesn’t. Many adults believe they “can’t remember anything,” unaware that the issue is rarely memory itself but the way information is approached.
In childhood, much of academic success is built on memorising chapters, definitions, and formulas. Those who recall more are praised as “intelligent.” But as students grow, the volume of information increases exponentially. The same memorisation-heavy strategies that worked at age ten begin to fail at age fifteen, twenty, or thirty.
This leads many high achievers to incorrectly conclude that their memory is deteriorating. The truth is simpler: the brain is designed to learn, not to cram.
To improve recall, not temporarily, but meaningfully, one must shift from memorising to understanding. Below are three research-supported ways to improve memory, each more compelling and transformative than traditional study methods.
1. Move from Memorising to Meaning-Making
Rote memorisation stores information temporarily; the brain treats it like clutter. But when you attach meaning to what you’re learning, why it matters, how it connects to something you know, or where it applies in real life, the brain encodes it deeply.
Memory forms through relevance.
The more connections you create, the easier it becomes to retrieve information later. Meaning beats repetition every time.
2. Engage Multiple Senses and Pathways
The brain retains information far better when learning is multi-sensory. Instead of only reading, try:
explaining the idea aloud,
drawing diagrams,
writing summaries by hand,
teaching the concept to someone else,
or associating it with visual cues.
Each method activates different neural pathways, strengthening recall and speeding up understanding.
3. Practice Retrieval Instead of Re-Reading
Most people read something repeatedly and call it “studying.” This is one of the least effective methods known.
Retrieval practice, on the other hand, is the act of recalling information without looking at the material.Examples include:
testing yourself,
summarising from memory,
closing the book and asking, “What do I remember?”
or teaching the concept aloud without notes.
Retrieval strengthens memory far more effectively than re-reading because it trains the brain to find information, not merely store it.
A New Way Forward to Improve Memory
The key to remembering better is not to push your brain harder, it is to use it smarter. Memory improves when learning becomes meaningful, multi-sensory, and retrieval-based.
For parents, professionals, and students seeking deeper clarity or personalised strategies, expert guidance can accelerate progress. At Parenting Absolute, our specialists help clients understand the way their mind works and refine the way they learn, recall, and apply information.
Begin your journey toward sharper thinking and stronger memory today.
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