--- title: Memory & Retention description: This topic explores the cognitive science of memory formation and retrieval. Learners will understand how to apply techniques like spaced repetition, active recall, and mnemonics to retain information more effectively and accelerate their learning process. category: personal-development subcategory: study-skills-and-learning difficulty: beginner, intermediate, advanced url: /subject/memory-and-retention --- # Memory & Retention This topic explores the cognitive science of memory formation and retrieval. Learners will understand how to apply techniques like spaced repetition, active recall, and mnemonics to retain information more effectively and accelerate their learning process. ## Available Resources 2 Books • 2 Courses • 4 Websites ## Websites ### 1. Supermemo The original spaced-repetition program, developed by Piotr Wozniak since 1987 and still shipping the SM-18 algorithm. Using it shows how review intervals are computed from recall difficulty, and how incremental reading feeds new material into that schedule. **Difficulty:** Beginner | **Price:** Free **Link:** https://www.supermemo.com/en/ **Tags:** spaced-repetition, memory, flashcards, incremental-reading, learning-software ### 2. AnkiWeb Anki is an open-source flashcard program that schedules each card's next review using a spaced-repetition algorithm, with desktop, mobile, and web sync. Setting up decks teaches you to phrase prompts that actually test recall. **Difficulty:** Beginner | **Price:** Free **Link:** https://apps.ankiweb.net/ **Tags:** spaced-repetition, flashcards, memory, anki, study-tools ### 3. artofmemory.com The Art of Memory is a comprehensive online resource focused on memory improvement, offering tutorials on mnemonic techniques (including memory palaces and the method of loci), articles, and a community for practice and discussion. **Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Free **Link:** https://artofmemory.com **Tags:** websites, personal-development, study-skills-learning ### 4. mindtools.com Mind Tools offers practical business and management resources—articles, templates, checklists, and self-assessments—covering business communication, leadership, teamwork, meetings, and professional writing. **Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Free **Link:** https://mindtools.com **Tags:** websites, business-entrepreneurship, business-fundamentals ## Courses ### 1. Learning How to Learn This course gives you easy access to the invaluable learning techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines. We’ll learn about how the brain uses two very different learning modes and how it encapsulates (“chunks”) information. We’ll also cover illusions of learning, memory techniques, dealing with procrastination, and best practices shown by research to be most effective in helping you master tough subjects. Using these approaches, no matter what your skill levels in topics you would like to master, you can change your thinking and change your life. If you’re already an expert, this peep under the mental hood will give you ideas for turbocharging successful learning, including counter-intuitive test-taking tips and insights that will help you make the best use of your time on homework and problem sets. If you’re struggling, you’ll see a structured treasure trove of practical techniques that walk you through what you need to do to get on track. If you’ve ever wanted to become better at anything, this course will help serve as your guide. This course can be taken independent of, concurrent with, or prior to, its companion course, Mindshift. (Learning How to Learn is more learning-focused, and Mindshift is more career-focused.) A related course by the same instructors is Uncommon Sense Teaching. To join the fully translated Portuguese version of the course, visit: https://www.coursera.org/learn/aprender To join the fully translated Spanish version of the course, visit: https://www.coursera.org/learn/aprendiendo-a-aprender To join the fully translated Chinese version of the course, visit: https://www.coursera.org/learn/ruhe-xuexi To join the fully translated French version of the course, visit : http://www.coursera.org/learn/apprendre-comment-apprendre **Difficulty:** Beginner | **Price:** Free **Link:** https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn **Tags:** learning-techniques, memory, metacognition, procrastination, study-skills ### 2. Learning How to Learn Barbara Oakley and Terrence Sejnowski explain focused and diffuse thinking, procrastination, sleep, and memory techniques across three short modules. Students come away able to apply recall practice, chunking, and memory palaces to their own homework and exams. **Difficulty:** Beginner | **Language:** English | **Price:** Free **Link:** https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn-youth **Tags:** courses, humanities-social-sciences, cognitive-science ## Podcasts ### 1. The Magnetic Memory Method Podcast **Author:** Anthony Metivier Long-running show hosted by memory trainer Anthony Metivier covering Memory Palace construction, mnemonic systems for vocabulary, names and numbers, and discussions of memory-improvement books. Listeners pick up practical techniques for memorising languages, exam material and everyday information. **Difficulty:** Beginner | **Language:** en | **Price:** Free **Link:** https://www.magneticmemorymethod.com/mmm-podcast/ **Tags:** memory palace, mnemonics, memory techniques, language learning ## Books ### 1. Moonwalking with Einstein **Author:** Joshua Foer Science journalist Joshua Foer's account of the year he spent training for, and winning, the USA Memory Championship. It explains the memory palace and other mnemonic techniques, the research behind expert memory, and how deliberate practice lets ordinary people improve recall. **Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Paid **Link:** https://www.amazon.com/dp/0141032138?tag=edmonddante07-20 **Tags:** books, personal-development, study-skills-learning ### 2. Ultralearning **Author:** Scott H. Young Scott H. Young sets out nine principles for aggressive, self-directed learning, including metalearning, drilling, retrieval practice, feedback, and retention, drawn from his own MIT-curriculum challenge and other case studies. Readers can design and run an intensive project to learn a hard skill quickly. **Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Paid **Link:** https://www.amazon.com/dp/0008305706?tag=edmonddante07-20 **Tags:** books, personal-development, study-skills-learning --- *This content is part of Dantes.io - Your Treasure Map to Knowledge* *Curated by humans at Dantes.io. Personal study use welcome; republishing this curation requires permission (team@dantes.io).* View this page online: https://dantes.io/subject/memory-and-retention