Why Memorizing Isn't Learning

Why Memorizing Isn’t Learning: The Truth About Quizlets, Notes, and Real Understanding

By Mrs. Natasha Brady, Head of School

Let’s talk about something that has become a hot topic at BHCA:

Quizlets.

Parents ask about them.
Students live by them.
Teachers tolerate them.

And I get it — Quizlet feels helpful. It’s colorful, it’s digital, it flips, it makes the little “ding” sound, and kids feel like they studied because they swiped through 24 terms while eating Takis.

But here’s the truth that might sting a little:

Memorizing answers is not the same as understanding.

And here at BHCA, we’re committed to actual learning, not just short-term memory tricks.

Let me explain.

When Quizlets Help (and When They Don’t)

Don’t get me wrong — Quizlets can be useful tools. They can help kids review vocabulary, practice recall, and reinforce what they already understand.

But do you know what often happens?

Students find a Quizlet someone else made…
…who copied the exact questions from the test…
…and they memorize the answers…

…and then they get confused when they bomb the real test, which did not, in fact, include:

“What is Abraham Lincoln’s favorite snack? (A) Popcorn”

Kids are smart.
They will take the path of least resistance.
Quizlet is the least resistance.

But real learning requires real engagement.

Why We Don’t Simply Rely on Quizlets at BHCA

1. They encourage memorizing, not understanding.

Memorizing is fast.
Understanding is slow.
But only one actually matters.

Students who memorize a Quizlet may pass a quiz…
…but ask them to explain the concept out loud?
Silence.
Crickets.
Mild panic.

That’s not learning.
That’s short-term retention that disappears by lunch.

2. They undermine critical thinking.

One of our biggest goals is teaching students to:

• think

• analyze

• reason

• apply knowledge

• explain concepts in their own words
  
  

Quizlets don’t build thinkers.
They build memorizers.

3. Quizlets let students skip the learning process.

When students say:

“I studied for TWO HOURS!”

Translation:

“I clicked through Quizlet while scrolling TikTok and eating Doritos.”

Studying is not staring.
Studying is not clicking.
Studying is active.

Reading notes.
Rewriting definitions.
Explaining concepts out loud.
Practicing problems.
Asking questions.
Actually engaging with the material.

That’s learning.
And it sticks.

So what do BHCA students use instead?

1. Guided Notes
These help students:

• stay organized

• understand content

• keep everything in one place

• actually learn instead of hunting through 12 tabs
  
  

2. Study Guides

These give clear expectations:
What will be tested?
What do you need to know?
How can you best prepare?

3. Teacher Lesson Plans

Parents have full access to:

• video links

• practice links

• tools

• review sheets

• supplements

It’s basically a treasure chest of “how to get your kid ready.”

4. Direct review, practice, and repetition

Our teachers teach the material.
They don’t hand out packets and call it a day.

We believe in mastery — not memorizing.

And here’s the plot twist: kids actually do better without leaning on Quizlet alone.

When they stop trying to memorize and start trying to understand, everything changes.

Scores go up.
Confidence increases.
Stress goes down.
Retention improves.
And suddenly…

They start saying things like:

“Oh! I GET it now!”

That’s the moment every teacher lives for.

In conclusion: we’re not anti-Quizlet.

We’re anti-shallow-learning.

We want your kids to:

• think

• understand

• reason

• engage

• master what they’re learning
  
  

Quizlet can be one tool in the toolbox — but it can’t be the toolbox.

At BHCA, we’re building deep thinkers, not flashcard robots.
And trust me…

When your child is thriving in dual enrollment classes one day, you’ll be glad we focused on understanding, not just matching answers.

🐝💛