Q. Some information I seem to recall easily. Other information... Help!

A. The brain process that moves data from short-term to long-term memory involves the hippocampus and the amygdala, both located in the emotional brain layer. Whether or not this happens depends on factors including:

  • Whether or not you give a rip. Does it make a difference to you in any way? Do you this it’s important? Is there any emotional component present?
  • Whether or not you can tie the information to anything you already know.

If you’ve never stored the information in long-term memory, it will definitely be difficult to recall—impossible, actually! If you did store the information, your brain will recall some types of data more easily than others, and more quickly. You may want to explore more about the way in which your brain functions most easily (e.g., The Brain Program, BTSA).

The brain likely has a limited amount of rote-memory storage available (e.g., dates, names, facts, figures, labels), while there may be virtually unlimited amounts of conceptual memory available (e.g., concepts, ideas).

Some practice of rote memory is good for the brain. For much of the exploding wealth of data in today’s world, however, I suggest you figure out WHERE to locate the information, should you need it.