Retention of Information vs. Attention

A common query from students is about the retention of information: how can a student best retain information they are learning in class? The number one way to increase retention is quite simply to pay attention. Paying attention doesn’t just mean staying awake in class, it means being actively engaged in the classroom. The amount of information you will retain is directly correlated (in my opinion) to the amount of energy you put into the following:

· Taking notes. There is evidence that writing information is key to long-term retention. There is a brain-to-pencil connection that just cannot be duplicated, so taking meaningful notes in class is key to retaining information.

· Asking and answering questions. If you are actively engaged in the classroom, you will also be active in the classroom discussion. The more involved you are in the discussion, the more personally invested you will be and thus that information is retained for the longer term.

· Looking up the answers to questions. If your instructor asks a question that you don’t know the answer to, often you can very quickly look up the answer on your phone or computer. I absolutely love when students are diligent enough to use their resources to find answers – it shows that they are listening, engaged, and actively learning!

Be sure you are making the mental space in the classroom to give the lecture material your undivided attention. This will allow you to retain information long-term and to be your best student!

Kelley

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