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Struggling to learn is beneficial for memory from "summary" of How We Learn by Benedict Carey

When we're learning something new, like a new language or skill, it's natural to feel frustrated and struggle with the material. But what if I told you that this struggle is actually a good thing for your memory? That's right - research has shown that when we encounter difficulties while learning, our brains actually work harder to make sense of the information. This extra effort leads to stronger memory formation and better retention of the material in the long run. Think about it this way: if everything we learned came easily to us, our brains wouldn't have to work as hard to process and store the information. But when we face challenges and have to really think about and wrestle with the material, our brains are forced to engage in deeper processing, which ultimately leads to better memory encoding. This phenomenon is known as "desirable difficulty" - the idea that when learning is more challenging, it actually enhances our ability to remember the information later on.
  1. Don't get discouraged. Embrace the challenge and know that the difficulty you're facing is actually helping you to solidify your memory of the material. By pushing through the struggle and persisting in your efforts, you're not only improving your learning process but also strengthening your memory in the process. Remember, the road to mastery is often paved with challenges, and it's these very challenges that can ultimately lead to deeper understanding and better retention of the material.
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How We Learn

Benedict Carey

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