Elaborative Interrogation
Ask 'why' and 'how' to connect new and prior knowledge.
Explanation
Isolated facts are easily forgotten because they have nothing to anchor them in your mind. But when you connect new information to what you already know by asking 'why' and 'how' questions, you create a web of associations. The more connections a piece of information has, the more ways you can access it from memory.
Real-World Example
Fact: Water expands when frozen. Elaboration: Why? Molecules form crystal structure. How does this matter? Pipes burst, ice floats, life exists. Now impossible to forget. History date vs story: 1066 is forgettable. Norman conquest changing English forever is memorable.
How to Apply
For every new fact, ask: Why is this true? How does it work? When does it apply? What would happen if opposite? How does it connect to what I know? Write these connections. Your notes should be 50% content, 50% connections.