2/20 Neurodivergent Study Skills

It’s that time again! We’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Bridget M. Hard — one of Duke’s most beloved Psychology professors — for her annual session on the science of memory and learning.

Dr. Hard’s teaching on memorization has helped countless students rethink how they study, recall, and actually retain information — especially those whose brains don’t follow traditional learning rules.

We’ll explore:

• How attention, emotion, and context shape memory formation

• Why spaced repetition and retrieval practice work better than re-reading

• The neuroscience of working memory — and what goes wrong under stress or fatigue

• Memory challenges unique to ADHD, concussion recovery, chronic illness, and dysautonomia

• Simple, proven techniques to strengthen recall and reduce study burnout