Short-term memory, also known as active memory, is the part of our memory where we jot down quick notes that we need to keep handy for just a short while. We use it for everyday tasks, such as keeping a phone number in mind until we dial it. If we don't actively review or repeat this information, it tends to fade quickly. Typically, short-term memory can hold information for about 20-30 seconds, and according to psychologist George Miller, it can store around 7 items, plus or minus two.^[1]