Have you ever found yourself struggling to remember what you’ve learned? If you’re anything like me, the answer is probably yes.

Whether it’s trying to recall details from a book, a lecture, or even a YouTube video, the challenge of retaining information can feel overwhelming.

For a long time, I wrestled with this frustration — until I discovered a game-changing tool: ChatGPT.

Now, I have to be upfront: I didn’t figure out these techniques all on my own.

I owe a lot of my newfound learning strategies to an incredible YouTuber named Bri Does AI.

In one of her videos (which you can check out here), she dives deep into how she uses ChatGPT to enhance her memory retention.

Inspired by her methods, I started experimenting with ChatGPT myself, and the results have been nothing short of transformative.

The Struggle with Retention

In the past, my learning process was a lot like filling a leaky bucket. I would pour in information, only to watch it slowly seep away.

No matter how many notes I took or how many times I reread my textbooks, the knowledge just wouldn’t stick.

I knew I needed a new approach, something that would help me not just understand but truly retain what I learned.

That’s when I decided to take Bri’s advice and experiment with ChatGPT myself.

I made some adjustments to her original prompts by incorporating personas, context, and specific tasks, which helped make the prompts even more effective.

Flashcard Companion

Another effective method for improving retention is using flashcards for review.

This approach is especially beneficial for students who want to thoroughly go over the notes they’ve taken.

I’ve found it particularly helpful to create flashcards based on my own notes.

Create at least 20 flashcards from my notes below in question-and-answer format. Make sure that the answers are in point form and that the flashcards cover ALL the content in my notes.
My notes:
[insert notes]

Discovering Spaced Repetition

One of the first techniques I tried, thanks to Bri, was spaced repetition.

If you haven’t heard of it, spaced repetition is a method where you review information at increasing intervals over time.

It’s like flexing a memory muscle — the more you revisit something, the stronger your recall becomes.

To implement this, I asked ChatGPT for help in creating a study schedule that utilizes spaced repetition.

For example, after learning something new, I would review it the next day, then three days later, then a week later, and so on.

The result? I found that information I would have forgotten in days now stayed with me for weeks, even months.

The prompts I used:

First prompt,

I want you to act as an [industry expert] who really has a great understanding of the [insert topic], can you create a study schedule for learning about [the topic] while utilizing the spaced repetition technique? Please state when I should review the material at increasing intervals over 12 weeks.

Second prompt,

I am currently king a history class on the [insert topic] and have a test in 4 weeks. Could you please quiz me on the subject and then based on the answers I got right and wrong, use the spaced repetition method to tell me when I should review the material to prepare for my test?

Teaching to Learn: The Feynman Technique

Another powerful method I discovered is the Feynman Technique.

Named after the brilliant physicist Richard Feynman, this technique involves explaining a concept in the simplest terms possible, as if teaching it to a child.

To make this more engaging, I set up a prompt in ChatGPT where I became the teacher and it played the role of a curious five-year-old.

I would explain a topic — say, quantum mechanics — in the simplest language I could muster, and ChatGPT, as my “student,” would ask questions.

The process forced me to confront gaps in my understanding and helped me solidify the concepts in my mind.

If I couldn’t explain something simple, I realized I didn’t understand it well enough, prompting me to revisit the material until I could.

The prompt I used:

You are a five-year-old who loves to ask questions and tell me when you are confused. I am explaining a topic to you and am trying to utilize the Feynman technique to explain the topic that I’m learning to you in a simplified way. Please act like a five-year-old ask me questions, and wait for me to respond. Also, please state if I explain something wrong and correct me. The topic is [insert topic].

Making Learning Fun: Rephrasing and Character Teaching

The journey didn’t stop there. I also found value in rephrasing, where I would write out everything I knew about a topic and then ask ChatGPT to analyze my explanation and suggest improvements.

This helped refine my understanding and catch any mistakes or ambiguities in my reasoning.

The prompt:

Here’s my knowledge of [insert topic] in my own words. I want you to act as an expert of [insert topic] who has more than 20 years of experience, could you analyze and suggest improvements, and point out gaps in my knowledge?

But perhaps the most fun technique I stumbled upon was assigning ChatGPT a fictional character and asking it to teach me from that character’s perspective.

Interestingly, this is similar to a feature offered by another AI tool called Forefront — definitely worth checking out if you’re curious!

Imagine learning about stoicism from the viewpoint of Seneca or Marcus Aurelius — it turns the learning experience into an adventure, making it more memorable and engaging.

The prompt:

I want you to act as [insert character], tell me about [insert relevant topic] and how can I use it in my life?

Storytelling and the Memory Palace

When it comes to memorization, storytelling is king.

I asked ChatGPT to turn complex information into short stories, weaving facts into a narrative that was easy to remember.

Here is an example of the prompt:

I want you to act as an expert in biology, can you create a short story on human organs where the organs are having a party? Describe the role of each organ plays in the party set up.

Additionally, inspired by Sherlock Holmes, I tried the Memory Palace technique.

I would mentally associate pieces of information with specific locations in a familiar setting, like rooms in my house.

As I “walked” through these locations in my mind, the information came back to me effortlessly.

The prompt:

Let’s create a memory palace for [insert topic]. I’ll start with [location].

A New Way of Learning

By integrating these techniques into my study routine, I noticed a remarkable improvement in my ability to retain information.

Details about stoicism, which once blurred together in my mind, became clear and distinct.

ChatGPT transformed from a simple tool into a powerful ally in my learning journey.

As I reflect on these experiences, I can confidently say that using ChatGPT has been a turning point in how I approach learning.

Whether you’re a student, a lifelong learner, or someone who simply enjoys expanding your knowledge, these techniques can help you retain what you learn in a more meaningful way.

Share your interesting, creative, or useful ChatGPT prompts in the comments below — I’d love to see what you’ve got!

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