Make Learning Stick! Tips for Retaining Knowledge

June 16, 2025 | Barbara Ann Sharon

Learning something new is exciting, but let’s be real—it’s easy to forget what we’ve learned if we don’t reinforce it. Whether you're taking a course, attending a workshop, or learning on your own, the key to retaining knowledge is making sure it sticks long-term. The good news is, there are proven strategies to help you do just that! Let’s dive into how you can boost retention and make learning really stick.

1. Active Engagement: Don’t Just Listen—Participate!

We all know that feeling when you’re listening to a lecture or reading a book, and your mind starts to wander. To make learning stick, you need to actively engage with the material. This could mean asking questions, taking notes, discussing what you’re learning with others, or even teaching the material to someone else. The more actively you interact with the content, the stronger the connection your brain makes.

2. Space It Out: The Power of Intentional Repetition

When it comes to retention, cramming doesn’t cut it. Spaced or intentional repetition is one of the most effective ways to make learning stick. This means reviewing the material at intervals over time. Revisit the concepts after a day, then a week, and then a month. Spacing out your reviews strengthens your memory and helps information move from short-term to long-term memory.

3. Make It Meaningful: Connect to What You Already Know

If you can connect new information to something you already know, you are more likely to remember it. This works because your brain links new ideas to existing mental frameworks. The more meaningful and relevant the information is to you personally, the easier it is to retain. When learning something new, ask yourself how it connects to your current knowledge or life experiences. Find real-life examples or scenarios where this knowledge applies. It will make the learning more viable and important.

4. Mix It Up: The Power of Interleaving

While it may sound counterintuitive, mixing up different topics or skills can actually help you learn better. This is called "interleaving." Instead of studying one topic for hours on end, switch between related topics. Interleaving helps your brain make connections between different ideas and improves your ability to apply knowledge in different contexts.

5. Get Hands-On: Apply What You’ve Learned

The best way to make sure knowledge sticks is to put it into practice. If you want to remember a skill, you need to use it in real-world scenarios. This could mean doing exercises, solving problems, or experimenting with new tools or techniques. Immediate or active application of your learning reinforces what you’ve absorbed and builds muscle memory.  If you’ve learned something new at work, try to immediately apply it to a project or task. Even small applications can make a big difference.

6. Take Breaks: The Importance of Downtime

When you're learning, it’s tempting to push through for long periods without rest. But taking breaks is crucial for making learning stick. Studies show that taking short breaks between “learning sessions” improves memory and concentration. Your brain needs time to process and consolidate new information. For example:  Learn for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four rounds, take a longer break (15–30 minutes). This cycle helps your brain stay fresh and focused.

7. Get Enough Sleep: Your Brain’s Best Friend

Sleep is one of the most underrated tools for learning. While you sleep, your brain consolidates memories and strengthens neural connections. If you’re skimping on sleep, you’re not giving your brain the chance to do this important work. Make sure you’re getting enough quality rest to help your brain process and store the information you’ve been learning.   Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night, especially learning something new. Your brain needs that time to organize and store new information.

8. Reflect and Review: Reinforce What You’ve Learned

After learning something new, take some time to reflect on it. Reviewing key points, summarizing what you learned, or jotting down questions you still have can reinforce the material. This helps you identify areas where you may need further clarification and solidifies the knowledge in your mind.  Keep a learning journal where you summarize what you’ve learned each week. This helps to reinforce your understanding and keeps your progress visible.

In summary, learning is a process, and making it stick takes time and effort. By actively engaging with the material, spacing out your learning sessions, applying what you learn, and ensuring you take care of your brain with rest and reflection, you’ll be on your way to mastering new concepts and retaining them long-term. So, next time you're diving into something new, remember these tips and watch how your learning retention improves.

Interested in learning more? Call Barbara Ann Sharon, Chief Learning Officer at Training Edge at 610.454.1557.