Study hacks from the UCLA Memory Lab

Often when we have to learn new information we’re given the advice that we should find a quiet place to study; however, we are also told that we should diversify our study location to better recall information during the exams. So which one is true?

“I think there is some truth in finding a quiet place where you’re not distracted,” says Dr. Alan Castel of the UCLA Memory & Lifespan Cognition Lab, “but you want to diversify where you’re going to learn information, such that if you can’t remember it later, you can almost do this mental walk of where you learned the information.” 

Did you learn it at the coffee shop while you were with your friends? What about your dorm room? 

Eventually the information will come back to you. Having these multiple retrieval pathways can be very effective when trying to recall information, especially during an exam. 

So, diversify your study environments and the next time you’re going blank during your final, just try to sit back and picture yourself in the place where you studied the material.

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