Remembering is possible after having had the perception of something, some input through the senses, and it has several phases; in the same way that understanding, that is related with a good observance, through the senses and to have the opportunity to understand the received information.
Fixing the information is another step that is possible through repetition. It is not possible to remember something that was not fixed before. In order to keep a memory of things that were previously fixed, that person should have developed a lot of concentration and training.
When we evoke a knowledge, it means that we put that information in a space of consciousness, in a place of stored knowledges. Recognizing knowledges means to put in relation a new knowledge with a previous one that was evoked.
Sources for improving memory
In order to improve our memorizing capacity it is important to have a better perception, and to reach this it is necessary for all senses to be alert and concentrated at one moment to set and fix that knowledge. The training of observation, and the practice to get details that are not always evident, are both very useful to improve memory. It has been proven that people can retain concepts or knowledges that are classified as a part of a group, that is why it is better to make classifications.
Thinking in images is also useful, because imagination and thoughts are joined in that way. Besides, we have to think that a language code is taken from two perspectives: meaning and significant. In other words, we see an image of the object and afterwards we name it with words. Exaggerating the characteristics of the elements in a cartoon style is also useful in order to capture the novelty of something, and to give movement to the thought images as films.
It is important to avoid mechanic memorizing, it is better to fix contents using repetitions. Making pauses when we read or study is also useful to remember things that have been thought, and it is better to set contents.
When we learn something just before going to sleep, we will surely make it possible to retain it and remember it the next morning, because while we sleep here is no interference. Making a review of the studied material using abstracts causes an increased number of repetitions and gives us the opportunity to have a better memorizing.
But, what causes us to forget knowledge? The main cause is less concentration than needed and not understanding the studied topic. Also, not making a good review, or making it late, or insufficient study with not too much reflection and effort.