Losing desire to learn because of memory

[dulaney0330]

I have generally enjoyed learning and growing in knowledge. However, for years now, I have noticed that my long term memory is deficient. It's so consistent that I have lost a lot of my desire to learn because I know I will not remember it in a week.

For example, I took 1 year of stats and I couldn't tell you the definition of standard deviation. I forget many of the common clauses in grammar. I have forgotten so much of all the things I have learned that I don't feel like even trying.

Even studying subjects that I enjoy...football and animals...I cannot remember how much a male polar bear weighs although I have read it so many times.

anyone else have this problem? It's very frustrating to me because I feel I would be pretty intelligent if only I had my memory. I struggled with severe depression for years (I am 24 years old) and I have read online that it can interfere with one's memory.

Thoughts appreciated.

[Chillax]

Originally Posted by dulaney0330

I have generally enjoyed learning and growing in knowledge. However, for years now, I have noticed that my long term memory is deficient. It's so consistent that I have lost a lot of my desire to learn because I know I will not remember it in a week.

For example, I took 1 year of stats and I couldn't tell you the definition of standard deviation. I forget many of the common clauses in grammar. I have forgotten so much of all the things I have learned that I don't feel like even trying.

Even studying subjects that I enjoy...football and animals...I cannot remember how much a male polar bear weighs although I have read it so many times.

anyone else have this problem? It's very frustrating to me because I feel I would be pretty intelligent if only I had my memory. I struggled with severe depression for years (I am 24 years old) and I have read online that it can interfere with one's memory.

Thoughts appreciated.

certain things are harder to remember than others, especually things like formulas and numbers, mainly because they are usually not linked w/ any other memory

memory does not equal intelligence, however if you really want, there are effective systems out there that help you memorize numbers and facts

what really makes someone intelligent is how quickly they can learn

as for the depression, pretty much everyone has it, I think the best thing to do is to keep yourself busy, I've noticed I've been the most depressed when I've had the most free time

[dulaney0330]

Originally Posted by Chillax

certain things are harder to remember than others, especually things like formulas and numbers, mainly because they are usually not linked w/ any other memory

memory does not equal intelligence, however if you really want, there are effective systems out there that help you memorize numbers and facts

what really makes someone intelligent is how quickly they can learn

as for the depression, pretty much everyone has it, I think the best thing to do is to keep yourself busy, I've noticed I've been the most depressed when I've had the most free time

The one method that I know of is: if you meet a guy name Bill you are supposed to come up with images of B-I-L-L. B as a buffalo sitting on icecream and two leopards (the idea is that the more outlandish, the more you will remember it).

I have tried this very weird and exhausting method but it hasn't been very effective.

I am interested in other ideas!

[fdr]

Hi dulaney0330,

I can relate to your frustration. I too have a terrible memory for the specific details of many things I learn or read. To make matters worse, my former partner has an incredible memory, and so during the seven years we were together, I spent a lot of time feeling stupid when I was around him (and I am no dummy). It took a mutual friend saying to me "You know, I think you're actually smarter than he is -- he just impresses people with his memory" to begin to realize how out of whack my perspective had become.

As Chillax already mentioned, memory and intelligence really aren't related. Having a good memory can make someone seem really smart, but the ability to spout facts doesn't mean they are better at reasoning or at creating new ideas from what they've learned. All it means is they have a natural skill, like being able to run fast.

I can't remember anything I learned in college -- I have always said that when I lost my box full of class notes two years after graduating, that was $100K of education down the drain! But I have found that even though I can't remember formulas or definitions of terms sometimes, I can still remember how the concepts work. The specifics I can always look up if they are important!

Here's something that may be of interest to you: I have a very good recall of song lyrics, but my partner never did. I'm thinking there's something in how my brain is wired that allows me to retain information when linked with rhythm or music that super-memory-boy didn't get. Still learning, though. Don't be discouraged! You are growing from what you learn, even if you can't remember the details.

[Nani]

Hi dulaney,

I used to have your problem.
Have you tried Holistic Learning? It's helped me immensely.
Scott has a free e-book about it: Scott H Young » Holistic Learning EBook

Even studying subjects that I enjoy...football and animals...I cannot remember how much a male polar bear weighs although I have read it so many times.

This is normal. Your brain is working just fine. You remember information that is useful to you and forget information that isn't. That's just how the brain works. Have you ever thought about or needed to know a polar bear's weight? Have you made a conscious effort to memorize it? Most of the time, when someone remembers something like this, whether they realize it or not it's because they've stopped to think about it a bit and relate it to other things. "Wow, polar bears are heavier than I thought. They remind me of ____, in fact I think they weigh about the same."

Then the next time when you're watching a program about polar bears, it'll be easier to remember how much they weigh because you've set some sort of guide up for yourself - they're heavier than you thought, they weigh about the same as ___. If you've thought about it even more at the time, it would become even easier to remember.

In my experience, asking questions helps a lot too. You're more likely to remember the answer if you already have an interest in finding it out.

[scorpio1980]

Why do you desire to remember useless facts? I bet 99% of the stuff taught in classes in college is stuff most people never need to know. Einstein talked about this, and said " What is the use of filling space in my brain with facts, terms, studies, and defititions, when if ever I need some of this information I can look it up in a common book"? The human brain has limited storage for memories as well as knowledge, and facts, and as this space gets filled we tend to lose other info. All to often the info you lose is what you actually needed in the first place. I have a theory that this is the exact reason why it seems doctors have no common sense, because they are so full of info that they could quickly read in a book or wikipedia that useless info has got pushed out. This is also the reason that for the most part the USA school system is a joke. It teaches us to learn things we don't need, that we can look up as we need it. Instead of facts and figures, we should be taught reasoning skills, financial independence, and the basic r's. School should foster our creativity, not shut it down with useless facts.

[Nani]

The human brain has limited storage for memories as well as knowledge, and facts, and as this space gets filled we tend to lose other info.

Where did you hear this from? My college education (uh oh ) has taught me that your brain does not have any kind of limited storage. In fact, learning is one way in which we can prompt new neurons to be born, so the more we learn, the better off we are. We have to keep it up all throughout our lives though, or they'll start to die. Use it or lose it.

This is actually a very important point. There are things you can do to literally make yourself smarter, and I'm sure it would help a lot with memory and learning.

Exercise causes new brain cells to grow, as does including blueberries in your diet, and restricting your calorie intake. There are a couple more according to this article: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways To Grow New Brain Cells, Neurogenesis | 4 Mind 4 Life - Brainwaves

[Dreamline]

I think we expect too much of ourselves.

There is more information exchanged just online in one day than was even available to the entire world 100 years ago. It's not that you are deficient. It's that the world of information has mutated into a monster.

Some people remember facts and book learning and other people can visually remember how to get to a place they have only ever been once, ten years ago. Some people remember names, others remember faces.

I remember the streets all my friends and acquaintances lived on when I was a teen, and their birthdays to boot, but I can't remember things I learned in school. I have to take notes to remember what I read in a book even recently.

But the act of learning, to me, isn't about the facts being stored in a memory bank somewhere for easy retrieval. It's about the process.

Jennifer

[dulaney0330]

Originally Posted by Dreamline

I think we expect too much of ourselves.

There is more information exchanged just online in one day than was even available to the entire world 100 years ago. It's not that you are deficient. It's that the world of information has mutated into a monster.

Some people remember facts and book learning and other people can visually remember how to get to a place they have only ever been once, ten years ago. Some people remember names, others remember faces.

I remember the streets all my friends and acquaintances lived on when I was a teen, and their birthdays to boot, but I can't remember things I learned in school. I have to take notes to remember what I read in a book even recently.

But the act of learning, to me, isn't about the facts being stored in a memory bank somewhere for easy retrieval. It's about the process.

Jennifer

Thank you all for your posts.

I can relate to this post and I will give myself from slack when I forget.

[dulaney0330]

Originally Posted by Nani

Hi dulaney,

I used to have your problem.
Have you tried Holistic Learning? It's helped me immensely.
Scott has a free e-book about it: Scott H Young » Holistic Learning EBook


This is normal. Your brain is working just fine. You remember information that is useful to you and forget information that isn't. That's just how the brain works. Have you ever thought about or needed to know a polar bear's weight? Have you made a conscious effort to memorize it? Most of the time, when someone remembers something like this, whether they realize it or not it's because they've stopped to think about it a bit and relate it to other things. "Wow, polar bears are heavier than I thought. They remind me of ____, in fact I think they weigh about the same."

Then the next time when you're watching a program about polar bears, it'll be easier to remember how much they weigh because you've set some sort of guide up for yourself - they're heavier than you thought, they weigh about the same as ___. If you've thought about it even more at the time, it would become even easier to remember.

In my experience, asking questions helps a lot too. You're more likely to remember the answer if you already have an interest in finding it out.

I will try that approach...thanks!

[Scipio]

Use spaced repetition software to periodically review valuable items and integrate them into your long term memory (forever).

Spaced repetition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[kiethatela]

It seems like you are frustrated with your memory status. Our brain has its limited capacity for memory storage. Sometimes, those things that we try to memorize will be unconsiously lost in our memories. It would be beter for you if you just try make things out. Don't always be frusrated with that stuff.. Just keep on reading books and magazines. This may help you regain your memory. If you ned more tips, try reading his one. maybe this might help you.. SolutionBay | Poor Memory

[VIPFaktor]

Learn about learning (google 'psychology of learning'), find some accelerating learning courses and articles, learn about memory techniques, exercise your raw memory power. There are many ways to improve your memory and learning power.

[alekseykravtsun]

Originally Posted by dulaney0330

I have generally enjoyed learning and growing in knowledge. However, for years now, I have noticed that my long term memory is deficient. It's so consistent that I have lost a lot of my desire to learn because I know I will not remember it in a week.

For example, I took 1 year of stats and I couldn't tell you the definition of standard deviation. I forget many of the common clauses in grammar. I have forgotten so much of all the things I have learned that I don't feel like even trying.

Even studying subjects that I enjoy...football and animals...I cannot remember how much a male polar bear weighs although I have read it so many times.

anyone else have this problem? It's very frustrating to me because I feel I would be pretty intelligent if only I had my memory. I struggled with severe depression for years (I am 24 years old) and I have read online that it can interfere with one's memory.

Thoughts appreciated.

Do not worry about it, we all forgetting things, some time I forget what is my wife telling me. Shortly I start my detailed to do list, and put everything there, so some time even getting surprised by my self what a new thing should I do Believe that brain can be trianed, if you start going deeper in to interested for you field, you probably start remember more, also heared that rhymes can help to increase capacity of memory. Wish you the best!

[JRhodes]

Just giving up will only serve to make your memory worse. Like anything else you can improve your memory with practice and exercise.

There's a few free exercises at The Memory Gym.

You may also wish to try hypnotherapy. With hypnotherapy you focus your mind on improving a faculty such as memory and it also heightens your visualization skills which greatly helps your power recall.

[Tim Brownson]

Originally Posted by Chillax

what really makes someone intelligent is how quickly they can learn

as for the depression, pretty much everyone has it, I think the best thing to do is to keep yourself busy, I've noticed I've been the most depressed when I've had the most free time

I'm glad you have cracked what makes somebody intelligent Chillax because scientists certainly haven't and regularly debate it.

As for most people having depression. Well that's not true either. In terms of diagnosed clinical depression it's approx 1:10 people in their life time (much higher in women than men). Admittedly a truer figure would be higher than that as a lot goes undiagnosed for obvious reasons, but it isn't even close to be 'most' people.

dulaney0330 - read up on implicit versus explicit memory. It sounds to me like it's your short to mid term memory.

Also it the problem may be you are learning in your wrong representational system. Have you tried audio books or using mind maps instead of using books where possible?

Check out a book called 'The Brain That Changes Itself' by Norman Doidge, it will answer a lot of your questions.

The human brain has limited storage for memories as well as knowledge, and facts, and as this space gets filled we tend to lose other info.

That is complete nonsense. Jeez where do you get information like that from??? The brain is capable of expanding until the day you die.

[Daffy Duck]

Originally Posted by Tim Brownson

I'm glad you have cracked what makes somebody intelligent Chillax because scientists certainly haven't and regularly debate it.

Intelligence is a subjective term. I don't think scientists can ever make a definite claim.

Being able to learn quickly is a common belief of what intelligent people can do.

In regards to the brain having limited storage, it's probably more accurate to say we have limited ability to pull information from our brain instead of saying our brain is limited itself. Our brain is so complex we may never figure it out.

[Tim Brownson]

Originally Posted by Daffy Duck

Intelligence is a subjective term. I don't think scientists can ever make a definite claim.

Being able to learn quickly is a common belief of what intelligent people can do.

In regards to the brain having limited storage, it's probably more accurate to say we have limited ability to pull information from our brain instead of saying our brain is limited itself. Our brain is so complex we may never figure it out.

I can go with most of that, although Howard Gardners theory of multiple intelligences seems the logical answer imho and speed of learning isn't a major deal there.

Having said that I agree its subjective and that's why its dangerous to throw stuff out there as being 'facts' when they are opinions.

[Daffy Duck]

Originally Posted by Tim Brownson

Howard Gardners theory of multiple intelligences.

I've never heard of that. Time for me to do a Google search. Thanks!

[Talkofthatown919]

i before had a problem retaining information. So therefore i started reading books and etc. Doing that has helped me a bunch.

[resh48038]

I know how you feel, dulaney0330, because I am also in the same place. I used to have a sharp memory until I was around 15 years old. After that my memory power reduced gradually. I know our ability to learn new things and remember what we learnt is at peak when we are kids. It is part of our growing process. In my case, at first the lack of ability to remember things was affecting only my learning. That time I spent more hours to read books to compensate my memory issues.
Later in my life it slowly started affecting my normal life. Sometimes I forget even common words or names. For instance if I want to tell someone that I shopped at Walmart today, I will start talking, but then I forget the word Walmart. Then I pause for a second then the word will come to my mind.
While trying to find out ways to improve memory, I learned a few things. If I am trying to get many things done simultaneously and I do not take time to relax, forgetfulness goes worse. I also have problem controlling racing thoughts. It does not matter what I am doing, a stream of thoughts runs at the back of my mind. This second layer of background thoughts drains a lot of my energy. My brain does not get any rest even when I am physically resting. Meditation helps me to be in present and it improves my mental clarity. Another thing I found helpful is taking multivitamin. If you are not eating a balanced diet or taking some kind of medicine that incapacitate your body from abosorbing vitamins, a good multivitamin will help you. Brain needs a variety of vitamins to function properly. You need to find enough time to relax. Getting enough sleep also helps. Regular excersice also has a positive imapact on memory. Last but not least take it easy. We are not fitted with memory chips, it is ok not being able to remember everything.

[SuperNova]

Hi Dulaney - sorry if this has already been said - I don't have time to read all the responses to your original post.

I struggled with memory all my life, despite a genius IQ. I had always thought I was stupid until last year I went to a neuro-psych who helped me work out what the problem was.

Essentially, I am extremely, extremely kinesthetic in my learning style. Unless I can apply a concept in some practical, experiential, three-dimentional way, then I have almost no chance of retaining it for more than a few hours. I have no problem UNDERSTANDING it, but I lose it so darn quickly.

Conceptual information (like words on a page, for example) is retained in your semantic memory. Maybe your semantic memory is just a little challenged like mine? That doesn't mean that you can't learn - you just need to DO something with any new information.

Here's a good example of what I mean... I spent my entire school life looking at world maps, desperately trying to remember where the continents and countries were and was always soooo perplexed that I could never remember. At the age of 32, I picked up a 3D globe and sat with it, turning it around in my hands for about 20 minutes and looking at all the locations. Since that day (about a year ago) I've never forgetten exactly where every country is on the map, how big they are, the distance between them etc etc. Its burned in my brain now! Such a simple solution :-)

You'll find lots of tips and tricks online for Kinesthetic learning. Have fun!

[diggyisking]

Not that Im an expert, but it sounds like you have a mental self limiting belief that you do not have a memory. Because of the fact that you think you will forget, you actually do.

You have to start with adopting the attitude that you can remember, that you are going to remember, and start training yourself to remember.

Seriously!
Just my humble opinion

[Chap]

Originally Posted by dulaney0330

I have generally enjoyed learning and growing in knowledge. However, for years now, I have noticed that my long term memory is deficient. It's so consistent that I have lost a lot of my desire to learn because I know I will not remember it in a week.

For example, I took 1 year of stats and I couldn't tell you the definition of standard deviation. I forget many of the common clauses in grammar. I have forgotten so much of all the things I have learned that I don't feel like even trying.

Even studying subjects that I enjoy...football and animals...I cannot remember how much a male polar bear weighs although I have read it so many times.

anyone else have this problem? It's very frustrating to me because I feel I would be pretty intelligent if only I had my memory. I struggled with severe depression for years (I am 24 years old) and I have read online that it can interfere with one's memory.

Thoughts appreciated.

Point in question:

How often do you use what you have learnt, for example standard deviation?

[KazeCraven]

Chap has a good point. Why bother learning something if it's not even going to get used? I suppose trivia is good for game shows and being the dreaded "know-it-all"...

[nightdiamond]

Hi, dulaney...

Originally Posted by dulaney0330

The one method that I know of is: if you meet a guy name Bill you are supposed to come up with images of B-I-L-L. B as a buffalo sitting on icecream and two leopards (the idea is that the more outlandish, the more you will remember it).

I have tried this very weird and exhausting method but it hasn't been very effective.

I am interested in other ideas!

I understand how you feel. I've been reading 2 books on memory, "Super Power Memory" and Ageless Memory by Harry Loryane. They both teach a similar method.

It's not an endorsment for the book, but just to give an example...

For example, with remembering Bill by imagining a buffalo sitting on ice cream and two leopards to represent the letters of the name, it seems too awkward and impractical to use in real time. (Although it might work perfectly for someone else).


On the other hand, the book and aurthor urges you to use your own examples, and to practice using your examples to make it easier to be practical.

Rather than remembering the letters of the name, go straight to the name itself.

For example, if the first image doesn't work, then imagine that person with a weird smile on his face handing you a huge utility bill.

Or the same person with a huge duck bill on his face.

If it's a Betty- You might imagine the woman (hope it's a woman) dressed as Betty Crocker.

To remember how much a male polar bear weighs-you can imagine a polar bear in his underwear standing on a scale and the pounds that come up and the look the polar bear has... at least, I guess, eh...

The book also stresses that the main thing is imagery, being able to picture the association, and the stranger the better...

I think the main thing is to learn to create your own associations, and then practice using them in real time situations, until you have it.

It might take a little time and practice and some setbacks at first, which is what usually happens when we all learn to do something, until it becomes easy, automatic, a habit.


I once just skimmed through the book during a lunchbreak last year in september 2008. I decided to do an exercise for remembering long word lists.

The list was more than 14 words long, and after reviewing the exercise only a few times, I remembered the words every since, without having to go back to review the words...

I pretty much agree with the other posters- who says we have to have a perfect recall all the time, or that it defines real intelligence..that type of pressure seems destined to backfire if taken too extremely...

I was always intrigued by the "perfect memory" thing, but there was a trap I ran into- in this industry, there is a lot of exaggerations and overhype, and promises of effortless and quick results.

IMO, it tends to create a attitude of not wanting to practice anything, but just slide in a CD and let it create those instant miraculous results for you.

The more you buy into it, the worse it can affect you...

On the other hand I discovered putting in effort to practice a reasonable idea paid off-like rememebering that word list!


Take care..