How to Maximize Working Memory Flashcards
Working Memory
A part of your brain you use to temporarily hold on to information. Used when you do things like multiply numbers in your head, learn new material, or think of what to say next. Think of working memory as an octopus, that uses its arms to connect your thoughts. It can reach into long term memory to connect sets of links that you’ve stored there.
Working memory has a very limited capacity.
The average working memory can hold only around four thoughts or concepts. Picture an octopus with 4 arms (able to hold 4 concepts). Some people have working memory of 2 arms, some people have 8 arms. You can’t change the number of arms you already have.
If you give your working memory too much info at once…
Your working memory will have trouble holding on to anything.
Once you’ve learned a concept well…
You can easily use it in your thinking, without it occupying much of your working memory. This is because most of the job is being done by the sets of links in your long term memory, not your working memory.
The best learning happens when your working memory is…
Hard at work, using all of its arms to support your learning. But don’t overwork your working memory, giving it more than it can handle.
The key to learning from notes…
Is using retrieval practice, the same day you listened to the lecture. If its late at night, and you’re exhausted, at least do a quick skim of your notes to bring those ideas back in mind. Do a review, right before you go to sleep, so your brain is reminded what is most important to be practicing while your sleeping, without other thoughts getting in the way.
When trying to learn difficult and demanding new concepts, working memory can be overwhelmed. To avoid this…
Before you start learning, free your working memory from non-essential thoughts, by writing a task list. This saves your to-do list in a safe place, so you can return to this after studying.
Once your learning, and feel overwhelmed…
Break material into smaller, more manageable chunks. Master one piece at a time, gradually, until you’ve mastered them all
Have a pen and paper to write on as you learn.
Jot down words, numbers, thoughts as needed. This can act as an extension of your working memory, a place to store thoughts outside of working memory.
