How to Learn

The brain is a powerful tool that has elevated humankind from potential prey to apex predator. A major contributor to this ascent is our unique ability to learn. Yet, for many, learning feels like a lottery—you either “have it” or you don’t. This article aims to break that myth by helping you understand the mechanisms of learning, memory, and how to optimize your brain for knowledge retention and recall.

Understanding Memory: Explicit vs. Implicit

There are two primary types of memory:- Explicit memory: Conscious, factual knowledge—what we typically think of as learning or academic memory (Foer, 2011).- Implicit memory: Unconscious memories like muscle memory and emotional conditioning.

This article focuses on explicit memory, particularly on how we retain and recall information—what most people associate with intelligence or “a good memory” (Lynch, 2020).

How Memory Works: The Brain Behind Learning

To form new explicit long-term memories, four brain structures must function well together. This network is known as the Papez circuit, consisting of the hippocampus, fornix, mammillary bodies, and anterior thalamus (Lynch, 2020).

Each hemisphere of your brain has a Papez circuit:- Left hemisphere: Verbal, auditory, and language-based memory.- Right hemisphere: Visual and spatial information.

Memory Types and Brain Structures

Memory Type	Brain Region(s)	Description
Episodic (Explicit)	Hippocampus, Papez circuit	Memory of personal experiences, events, and factual information
Procedural (Implicit)	Basal ganglia, Thalamus	Memory for motor skills and habits (e.g., riding a bike)
Emotional (Implicit)	Amygdala	Memory related to emotional responses and conditioning

Memory Is Twofold: Encoding & Recall

When you think of memory think of it’s two parts Encoding, getting the information into your brain – Studying for a test. And Recall, bringing forth the stored information and use it – taking the test.

Encoding is supported by the WOPR framework (Lynch, 2020):

1. Write (by hand appears to be most effective and in your own words)

2. Organize (How do these things relate to one another and how do they relate to your overall knowledge base)

3. Picture (Most people overtax their left hemisphere. Use both hemispheres—pair verbal concepts with imagery.)

4. Rehearse/Recall (Keep reading)

Study time: What the Research Says

There is one thing that stands out above the rest with it’s ability to help you learn and that’s, challenging your brain. You can do this in a myriad of methods here but here are three.

Retrieval Practice: Strengthens memory better than rereading (Brown, Roediger, & McDaniel, 2014).

Spaced Repetition: Review material over increasing intervals for long-term retention (Brown et al., 2014).

Interleaving: Mix different topics during study to improve discrimination and flexibility (Brown et al., 2014).

• Remember your memory is more about challenging your brain to recall the information not to review it

Recall, which occurs in the prefrontal cortex, can be blocked by stress or self-defeating beliefs (Kwik, 2020). Recall techniques (RRSRS) help:

• Relax

• Retrace your steps

• Search the alphabet (starting with A, then B, So on)

• Recreate context

• Stick to a schedule

The other 20% for those who are perfectionists.

Lifestyle Factors

• Protect hearing – Losing your hearing means that you will have less input coming into your brain, there by atrophying it. You will lose your mental capabilities if you aren’t using them (Lynch, 2020)

• Exercise and sleep – Exercise is the only thing that helps to maintain your IQ over your lifespan.

• Social interaction and novelty

• Manage stress and depression (Kwik, 2020)

Final Thoughts

Struggle is not failure—it’s learning in action. With effort, strategy, and patience, learning becomes a skill anyone can improve.

Citations:- Brown, P. C., Roediger, H. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. Harvard University Press.- Kwik, J. (2020). Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life. Hay House.- Lynch, L. (2020). The Neuroscience of Memory: Seven Skills to Optimize Your Brain Power, Improve Memory, and Stay Sharp for Life. New World Library.