How to Remember Everything Like Japanese Students
Study Less, Remember More with These Proven Methods By BEDMAS Academy
Have you ever studied for hours, only to forget everything the next day? You’re not alone—and it’s not your fault.
Studies show that people forget nearly 70% of what they learn within 24 hours. By day three, most of it is gone. Frustrating, right?
But here’s the good news: Japanese students have cracked the code. They master and retain over 2,000 kanji characters—for life. Their secret? It’s not about studying harder. It’s about studying smarter.
At BEDMAS Academy, we believe in simplifying learning. So here are five Japanese-inspired, science-backed techniques that will change how you learn forever.
1. Active Recall: The Samurai Mindset
Instead of rereading or highlighting (which tricks your brain into thinking you’re learning), active recall forces your brain to retrieve information—strengthening memory like lifting weights strengthens muscles.
🧠 How to apply it:
Close your book and write down everything you remember.
Quiz yourself. Talk it out loud.
Struggle a bit—that’s the point. Every effort strengthens the connection.
Western students cram. Japanese students train their memory.
2. The Kumon Method: Learn in Small, Powerful Steps
Originally developed in Japan, the Kumon method breaks learning into bite-sized daily lessons. No stress. No overwhelm. Just steady, consistent improvement.
📘 Why it works:
Builds deep understanding gradually.
Keeps you from burning out.
Reinforces concepts daily until they stick.
Even bestselling author James Clear echoes this in Atomic Habits: 1% better every day leads to massive improvement.
3. Spaced Repetition: Water Your Memory Like a Garden
Memory is like a plant—you can’t water it once and expect it to thrive. Spaced repetition is about reviewing material just before your brain forgets it.
📆 The schedule:
Review after 1 day
Then 3 days
Then a week
Then a month
Each review strengthens the memory. You’re hacking the forgetting curve.
4. Kaizen: 1% Better Every Day
Kaizen means continuous improvement. And it’s surprisingly simple. Just six minutes a day can make a huge difference.
⏱️ Try this daily learning formula:
2 minutes: Active Recall
2 minutes: Spaced Repetition
2 minutes: Focused Practice
In a month, you’ll be 30% better. No stress. No cram sessions. Just results.
5. Shū: The Art of Deep Focus
Learning isn’t just about techniques—it’s also about focus. Japanese students practice “Shū,” a state of mindful concentration that helps them fully immerse in study.
🔥 Create your focus ritual:
Use the same pen or notebook.
Light a candle or wear your favorite hoodie.
Always study in the same space.
These rituals train your brain to focus when it’s time to learn—making memory easier and deeper.
Final Thoughts: Study Smart, Not Hard
Think back to the last thing you truly mastered—a game, a sport, a skill. You didn’t just watch YouTube videos. You practiced. You failed. You got better.
That’s how real learning works.
🧩 Stop cramming.
🧠 Start training your brain like a Japanese student.
📈 Just a few minutes a day can transform your memory and your future.