Why You Should Do Homework for Grown-ups: The Science and Benefits of Remembering What You Learned at School
Homework for Grownups: Everything You Learned at School and Promptly Forgot
Do you remember what you learned at school? If you're like most people, probably not. You may have spent years studying math, science, history, geography, literature, and other subjects, but how much of that information do you still recall today? And more importantly, how often do you use it in your daily life?
Homework For Grownups Everything You Learned At School And Promptly Forgot
It's not surprising that we forget most of what we learned at school. After all, we have limited memory capacity and we are constantly exposed to new information that competes for our attention. Moreover, many of the things we learned at school may seem irrelevant or outdated now that we have different interests and goals.
But what if we told you that there are good reasons to revisit what you learned at school and refresh your memory? What if we told you that doing homework for grownups can actually benefit your brain, your career, your creativity, and your happiness? And what if we told you that learning can be fun again?
In this article, we will explore the science of forgetting and remembering, the benefits of remembering what you learned at school, and the fun ways to learn new things as an adult. By the end of this article, you will discover that homework for grownups is not a chore, it's an opportunity.
The Science of Forgetting
Before we dive into the benefits of remembering what you learned at school, let's first understand why we forget in the first place. How does memory work and what causes forgetting?
The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve
One of the pioneers of memory research was a German psychologist named Hermann Ebbinghaus. In the late 19th century, he conducted a series of experiments on himself to measure how much he could remember after different periods of time. He used nonsense syllables (such as DAX or ZOF) as his stimuli and tested his recall after various intervals ranging from minutes to days.
What he found was that his memory declined rapidly in the first few hours after learning, then leveled off gradually. He plotted his results on a graph that became known as the forgetting curve. The forgetting curve shows that we forget about 40% of what we learned within 20 minutes, and about 65% within a day.
The forgetting curve has important implications for learning. It suggests that if we want to remember something, we need to review it soon after we learn it, and then repeat it at spaced intervals over time. This way, we can prevent the memory from fading and strengthen the neural connections that encode it.
The Spacing Effect and the Testing Effect
The idea of reviewing information at spaced intervals is based on a phenomenon called the spacing effect. The spacing effect is the finding that we remember information better when we study it in multiple sessions spaced out over time, rather than in one cramming session. This is because spacing out our study sessions gives our brain more time to consolidate the memory and makes it more resistant to interference from other information.
Another effective strategy to combat forgetting and enhance retention is to test ourselves on what we learned. This is based on a phenomenon called the testing effect. The testing effect is the finding that we remember information better when we actively retrieve it from our memory, rather than when we passively review it. This is because retrieving information strengthens the memory trace and makes it more accessible in the future.
Therefore, if we want to remember what we learned at school, we should not just read our textbooks or notes, but also quiz ourselves on them. We should also space out our study sessions and review the material periodically. These techniques will help us overcome the forgetting curve and improve our long-term memory.
The Interference Theory and the Retrieval Failure Theory
But why do we forget in the first place? What are the main sources of forgetting? There are many theories and factors that explain forgetting, but two of the most common ones are the interference theory and the retrieval failure theory.
The interference theory states that we forget information because it gets mixed up with other similar information in our memory. There are two types of interference: proactive and retroactive. Proactive interference occurs when old information interferes with new information. For example, if you learned French in school and then you try to learn Spanish, you may confuse some words or grammar rules between the two languages. Retroactive interference occurs when new information interferes with old information. For example, if you learn a new phone number and then you try to recall your old phone number, you may mix up some digits or forget them altogether.
The retrieval failure theory states that we forget information because we cannot access it from our memory. This may happen because we lack the proper cues or context that trigger the memory. For example, if you learned the names of all the presidents of the United States in school, but you cannot recall them now, it may be because you do not have a cue that reminds you of them, such as a list, a song, or a mnemonic device. Alternatively, it may be because you are in a different context than when you learned them, such as a different place, mood, or state of mind.
To avoid forgetting due to interference or retrieval failure, we should try to make our memories distinct and meaningful. We should also try to associate them with cues or contexts that can help us recall them later. For example, if we want to remember what we learned in history class, we should not just memorize dates and names, but also understand the causes and effects of historical events, relate them to our own experiences or current affairs, and use visual aids or stories to make them memorable.
The Benefits of Remembering
Now that we know why we forget and how to remember better, let's look at why remembering what we learned at school can benefit us in our personal and professional lives. How can revisiting our school subjects help us?
Boost Your Cognitive Skills
One of the main benefits of remembering what you learned at school is that it can boost your cognitive skills. Cognitive skills are the mental abilities that enable us to process information, solve problems, make decisions, and learn new things. Some of the cognitive skills that can be improved by recalling school subjects are:
Memory: As we discussed earlier, memory is the ability to store and retrieve information. By reviewing what we learned at school, we can enhance our memory capacity and performance.
Attention: Attention is the ability to focus on relevant information and ignore distractions. By revisiting what we learned at school, we can train our attention span and concentration.
Reasoning: Reasoning is the ability to draw logical conclusions from facts and evidence. By refreshing our knowledge of math, science, logic, and philosophy, we can sharpen our reasoning skills and critical thinking.
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By boosting our cognitive skills, we can also improve our brain health and prevent cognitive decline. Studies have shown that engaging in mentally stimulating activities can protect our brain from aging and diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia. Therefore, doing homework for grownups can be a great way to keep our brain fit and young.
Expand Your Knowledge Base
Another benefit of remembering what you learned at school is that it can expand your knowledge base. Knowledge base is the collection of facts, concepts, and skills that you have acquired over time. By expanding your knowledge base, you can:
Understand yourself better: By refreshing your knowledge of psychology, sociology, biology, and other subjects that relate to human behavior and nature, you can gain more insight into your own personality, emotions, motivations, and strengths.
Understand the world better: By refreshing your knowledge of history, geography, politics, economics, and other subjects that relate to the world around you, you can gain more perspective on the current events, issues, and trends that affect you and others.
Learn new things faster: By refreshing your knowledge of the basic principles and foundations of various subjects, you can make it easier for yourself to learn new things in those domains. For example, if you review the basics of algebra and geometry, you can learn calculus or trigonometry more quickly.
By expanding your knowledge base, you can also increase your confidence and competence in various situations. You can impress others with your intelligence and expertise, or use your knowledge to solve problems or make decisions. You can also pursue new opportunities or hobbies that require certain knowledge or skills.
Enhance Your Creativity and Problem-Solving
A third benefit of remembering what you learned at school is that it can enhance your creativity and problem-solving. Creativity and problem-solving are the abilities to find novel and effective solutions to challenges or goals. By enhancing your creativity and problem-solving, you can:
Innovate: By applying what you learned in school to new situations or contexts, you can come up with original and useful ideas or products. For example, if you apply what you learned in physics to design a new gadget or game.
Adapt: By using what you learned in school to cope with changing or uncertain circumstances, you can adjust to new environments or demands. For example, if you use what you learned in languages to communicate with people from different cultures or backgrounds.
Improve: By combining what you learned in school with other sources of information or inspiration, you can improve existing solutions or processes. For example, if you combine what you learned in biology with what you learned in art to create a better illustration or animation.
By enhancing your creativity and problem-solving, you can also improve your personal and professional outcomes. You can achieve your goals faster and easier, or overcome obstacles and difficulties. You can also stand out from the crowd and add value to yourself or others.
The Fun of Learning
As you can see, remembering what you learned at school can have many benefits for your brain, your career, your creativity, and your happiness. But how can you make learning enjoyable and rewarding again? How can you avoid the boredom and frustration that may have plagued your school days?
Choose Your Topics Wisely
One of the keys to making learning fun again is to choose your topics wisely. Unlike school, where you had to follow a fixed curriculum and learn subjects that may not have interested you or suited your goals, as an adult learner you have more freedom and flexibility to choose what you want to learn.
Therefore, you should select the subjects that appeal to you and align with your passions or purposes. You should also consider your learning style and preferences. Do you prefer visual or verbal information? Do you like abstract or concrete concepts? Do you enjoy facts or stories? Do you learn better alone or with others?
By choosing your topics wisely, you can increase your motivation and engagement in learning. You can also make learning more meaningful and relevant to your life.
Use Various Resources and Methods
Another key to making learning fun again is to use various resources and methods. Unlike school, where you had to rely on textbooks, lectures, and exams as your main sources of information and assessment, as an adult learner you have access to a wide range of resources and methods that can suit your needs and preferences.
Some of the resources and methods you can use are:
Books: You can read books on any topic you want, from fiction to non-fiction, from classics to bestsellers. You can also listen to audiobooks if you prefer.
Podcasts: You can listen to podcasts on any topic you want, from news to entertainment, from education to comedy. You can also subscribe to podcasts that update you regularly on your favorite subjects.
Videos: You can watch videos on any topic you want, from documentaries to tutorials, from TED talks to YouTube channels. You can also create your own videos if you want to share your knowledge or skills with others.
Online courses: You can take online courses on any topic you want, from academic to professional, from free to paid. You can also enroll in online degrees or certificates if you want to advance your education or career.
Games: You can play games on any topic you want, from trivia to puzzles, from simulations to adventures. You can also design your own games if you want to challenge yourself or others.
Apps: You can use apps on any topic you want, from language learning to fitness tracking, from meditation to productivity. You can also develop your own apps if you want to solve a problem or create a service.
By using various resources and methods, you can make learning more diverse and dynamic. You can also make learning more convenient and accessible.
Challenge Yourself and Others
A third key to making learning fun again is to challenge yourself and others. Unlike school, where you had to follow a predetermined pace and level of difficulty, as an adult learner you can set your own goals and measure your own progress. You can also interact with other learners and exchange feedback or support.
Some of the ways you can challenge yourself and others are:
Set SMART goals: SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By setting SMART goals for your learning, you can clarify what you want to achieve, how you will achieve it, and when you will achieve it.
Track your progress: By tracking your progress for your learning, you can monitor how well you are doing, what you have accomplished, and what you need to improve. You can use tools such as journals, calendars, charts, or apps to track your progress.
Reward yourself: By rewarding yourself for your learning, you can motivate yourself to keep going, celebrate your achievements, and enjoy the process. You can use rewards such as treats, breaks, prizes, or compliments to reward yourself.
Join a community: By joining a community for your learning, you can connect with other learners who share your interests or goals, learn from their experiences or insights, and collaborate or compete with them. You can join communities such as clubs, groups, forums, or networks for your learning.
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By challenging yourself and others, you can make learning more stimulating and rewarding. You can also make learning more social and interactive.
Conclusion: Homework for Grownups is Not a Chore, It's an Opportunity
In conclusion, homework for grownups is not a chore, it's an opportunity. It's an opportunity to remember what you learned at school and use it to boost your cognitive skills, expand your knowledge base, and enhance your creativity and problem-solving. It's also an opportunity to make learning fun again by choosing your topics wisely, using various resources and methods, and challenging yourself and others.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your notebook, your laptop, or your smartphone and start your homework for grownups journey today. You'll be surprised by how much you can learn and how much fun you can have along the way.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers related to the topic of homework for grownups:
Q: How much time should I spend on homework for grownups?
A: There is no fixed rule on how much time you should spend on homework for grownups. It depends on your goals, interests, availability, and preferences. However, a general guideline is to spend at least 15 minutes a day on learning something new or reviewing something old. You can also adjust your time according to your schedule and mood.
Q: What if I don't remember anything I learned at school?
A: Don't worry if you don't remember anything you learned at school. You are not alone. Most people forget most of what they learned at school over time. The good news is that you can always refresh your memory by using the strategies we discussed in this article, such as reviewing the material at spaced intervals, testing yourself on it, making it distinct and meaningful, and associating it with cues or contexts.
Q: What if I don't like what I learned at school?
A: Don't worry if you don't like what you learned at school. You are not alone. Many people dislike some of the subjects they learned at school because they found them boring, difficult, or irrelevant. The good news is that you can always choose what you want to learn as an adult learner by using the criteria we discussed in this article, such as selecting the subjects that interest you and suit your goals, considering your learning style and preferences, and making learning enjoyable and rewarding.
Q: How can I find good resources and methods for homework for grownups?
A: There are many resources and methods available for homework for grownups. You can use the ones we suggested in this article, such as books, podcasts, videos, online courses, games, apps, or communities. You can also search online for more options or ask for recommendations from other learners or experts. The key is to find the resources and methods that match your needs and preferences.
Q: How can I measure my progress and success in homework for grownups?
A: There are many ways to measure your progress and success in homework for grownups. You can use the ones we suggested in this article, such as setting SMART goals, tracking your progress, rewarding yourself, joining a community, or teaching someone else. You can also use other tools or indicators that work for you. The key is to monitor your learning outcomes and enjoy the learning process.
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