Struggling to Remember Everything? Try Teaching It!

Let’s be real—cramming doesn’t work. You highlight, reread, and review endlessly, but when it’s time to recall that one critical fact… your mind goes blank.

So, what’s the solution? Teach it.

One of the most powerful, evidence-based learning techniques is the **Teach-Back Method**, where you explain a topic as if you’re teaching someone else. This forces your brain to **organize, recall, and simplify** complex information, making it easier to retain and apply knowledge long-term.

How to Use the Teach-Back Method Tonight

This strategy is simple, effective, and backed by science. Here’s how you can start using it right now:

1. Write a Simple Lesson Plan

  • Grab a piece of paper or a whiteboard. 

  • Write down key concepts as if you’re teaching a beginner.  

  • Challenge yourself to explain it in the simplest way possible.

Example: Instead of saying:  

Lidocaine blocks sodium channels to prevent depolarization.”*  

Try:  

“Lidocaine stops pain by blocking the nerves from sending signals.”

If you can’t simplify it, you don’t fully understand it yet.

2. Teach It Out Loud (Even If No One’s There!)

  • Explain it to a friend, family member, or even your pet.  

  • No one around? Speak out loud like you’re giving a lecture.  

  • Use visuals—draw diagrams, act it out, or record yourself explaining it.

Why This Works: 

– If you struggle to explain something, that means you haven’t truly learned it yet.  

– Teaching it in your own words forces your brain to process the information more deeply.

3. Find the Gaps & Fill Them

  • Did you get stuck explaining something? Go back and review it.

  • Did your “student” ask a question you couldn’t answer? That’s a weak spot—reinforce it. 

  • Rewrite your explanation in an even simpler way.

Goal: If you can teach a concept without looking at your notes, you’ve mastered it.

Why Teaching Helps You Retain More

 Backed by Science: The “Protégé Effect”

Research shows that when we teach others, we:

  • Process information more deeply.  

  • Improve long-term retention.  

  • Strengthen critical thinking.

This is why medical students who tutor others tend to score higher on exams—they aren’t just memorizing; they’re mastering the material.

Challenge: Try This Tonight & See the Difference!

  • Pick a topic you’re struggling with.  

  • Write a mini lesson.  

  • Teach it to someone (or yourself) out loud.  

  • Notice how much easier it is to recall later! 

Ready to Game Your Brain™?

If you’re serious about studying smarter, not harder, it’s time to upgrade your learning strategy.

Ollivate uses evidence-based techniques like Spaced Repetition, Gamification, and Interactive Challenges to help students and residents retain critical anesthesia concepts faster.

Join the movement. Level up your study game.

[Sign up here for early access to Ollivate]

Have you tried teaching what you learn? Drop a comment below!