Retention beyond the exam.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MOST LEARNED MATERIAL
It is forgotten, quickly, unless used.
WHAT PREVENTS THAT
Returning to it at intervals Using it Connecting it to what you already know
WHY CONNECTION MATTERS
Isolated facts are forgotten. Facts fitted into a structure are retained.
WHAT TO BUILD
An understanding of how the subject fits together, not only its parts.
WHAT TO DO AFTER FINISHING SOMETHING
Summarise it, from memory, in a page.
WHY
It forces consolidation, and produces something worth returning to.
WHAT TO KEEP
Those summaries, organised.
WHAT TO REVIEW
Them, occasionally.
WHAT TO APPLY
The knowledge, in real work.
WHY
Applied knowledge is retained; studied knowledge is not.
WHAT TO TEACH
Whatever you want to retain.
WHY
Teaching forces precision and reveals gaps.
WHAT TO ACCEPT
You will forget most detail, and retain structure.
WHAT TO ENSURE
That the structure is sound, so detail can be recovered.
