You now know the whole system. A good plan answers five questions.
- What? One small chunk of material.
- Which tool? The encode tool that fits the material and the learner's age.
- How will I recall? Closed book: narration, blank page or flashcards.
- When are the reviews? Days 1, 3, 7, 21 on the calendar, or a card in the box.
- What else helps? Sleep, mixing old material into reviews, and teaching someone.
Worked example: Worked example
Plan: a 13-year-old wants to learn the first ten elements of the periodic table, starting Monday the 2nd.
- What: the first ten elements in order.
- Tool: a memory palace with ten spots (age 12+, order matters).
- Recall: walk the palace and write the list, then check.
- Reviews: day 1 (Tue 3rd), day 3 (Thu 5th), day 7 (Mon 9th), day 21 (Mon 23rd).
- Extras: mix the elements into review with other lists; teach a sibling.
Answer: A ten-spot palace, closed-book recall, reviews on the 3rd, 5th, 9th and 23rd.
Key idea
Memory isn't a talent you have. It's a habit you build.