Emotional Reconnection as a Memory Hack: Revisiting “Mental Time Travel” in Education

Sarah Kennett

Published on: 11/10/2025

Research shows that when students emotionally reconnect with past experiences—sometimes referred to as “mental time travel”—they strengthen the neural pathways that make learning more effective and lasting. By evoking vivid, personal memories and linking them to new material, teachers and coaches can improve recall, deepen understanding and boost long-term retention. This approach reframes revision as more than rote repetition; it becomes an experience of re-living, re-feeling and re-anchoring knowledge. For educators looking for brain-friendly strategies, emotional reconnection offers a practical, evidence-based way to transform how students remember.