How To Retain 90% Of Everything You Learn

 

What if I told you that you’re forgetting almost everything you learn?

That’s right!

Studies show that without proper techniques, we forget about 90% of new information within a week!

But don’t worry—because in this article, I’m going to show you proven strategies to retain up to 90% of everything you learn.

If you want to maximize your memory, boost productivity, and actually use what you learn, then make sure you read all of this—because these tips will change the way you learn forever!

Why We Forget

Before we get into the solutions, let’s quickly talk about why we forget. Psychologists have discovered something called the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve, which shows that after just one day, you lose about 50% of what you learn—and after a week, that number jumps to 90%!

Why does this happen? Three main reasons:

1. Lack of Review – If you don’t revisit information, your brain discards it as unimportant.
2. No Real-World Application – If you don’t use it, you lose it!
3. Passive Learning – Just reading or watching isn’t enough—you need to engage with the material actively.

So how do we fix this? Let’s dive into the powerful strategies that will help you retain more and forget less!

Strategies to Retain 90% Of What You Learn

Alright, here’s the game plan! Implement these techniques, and you’ll see a massive boost in memory retention.

1. Teach What You Learn (Feynman Technique)

– If you can explain something in simple terms, you truly understand it.

– Try teaching a friend, recording yourself, or writing it out as if explaining to a 5-year-old.

2. Use Active Recall

– Instead of re-reading notes, test yourself.

– Ask questions and try to answer them without looking—this strengthens memory pathways.

3. Spaced Repetition

– Don’t cram! Review information at increasing intervals: after a day, a week, then a month.

– Apps like Anki or Notion can help automate this process.

4. Apply What You Learn Immediately

– Reading about productivity won’t make you productive application is key

– Find a real-life situation where you can use the knowledge ASAP.

5. Make It Visual & Story-Based

– Our brains love images and stories more than raw facts.

– Convert information into mind maps, diagrams, or personal anecdotes  to make it stick.

6 Connect New Knowledge to Existing Knowledge

– The more connections your brain makes, the easier recall becomes.

– Ask yourself:  How does this relate to what I already know?

7. Use Multi-Sensory Learning

– Read it, say it out loud, write it down, and visualize it.

– The more senses you involve, the deeper the learning.

8. Get Enough Sleep & Exercise

– Your brain consolidates memories during  deep sleep , so don’t skip it.

– Exercise improves blood flow to the brain, making learning more efficient.

 Conclusion

There you have it! These are the most effective ways to retain 90% of what you learn. The key is consistency —the more you apply these techniques, the stronger your memory will become.

Which of these strategies are you going to try first?