37,324,800 minutes.

The average human lifespan is around 72-73 years. And if I did my math right, that’s about 37 million minutes of potential memories. 

But let’s face it, we don’t actually remember that much. 

With final exams and AP test reviews coming up, I know my memory retention skills are going to be put to the test. Before I start studying, let’s talk about the past 24 hours. According to the forgetting curve theory, you’ve already forgotten 50% of what you’ve studied that day. 

Poof. Gone. 

I just wish I had a say in what I forget. Or what I could remember. It’s ironic because it’s still my brain choosing what to forget… just I’m not doing it consciously. 

Imagine what we could do if we could choose when, or what to forget. I think one of the most underrated superpowers is the ability to manipulate or read memories. Some of these super powers do exist in real life, like people with HSAM, who remember every day of their lives and people with a photographic memory, a popular student wish. But even they don’t have a choice of what to remember either.

So what exactly do we end up remembering? 

I can recall random, insignificant stories from three years ago. My birthday obviously, but not what I did two weeks ago. Why I walked into my room? No idea, probably to get something. 

At this point, my phone has a better memory. But it’s my life, and I feel like I should be able to choose what goes into my mental scrapbook, without relying on my phone’s storage.

Memories are the roadmap to who you are. Frankly, I don’t know what’s worth remembering yet. I don’t know how a small moment, maybe one I wanted to forget, could unknowingly shape my life. Without them, you’re just like the character in the movies who has amnesia and needs to figure out who they are or what they’re doing. 

 I just want my best memories to make the cut. Not something I forget about and have to go “I did that?” or “That happened?” And I’d also like to remember all my vocab by the time AP tests get around. 

Out of 37 million minutes, maybe we don’t need to remember all of them. Just the ones that matter (that includes random songs from 2016).