Top 10 tips to improve Your memory
Dohtur
Attention is one of the major components of memory. In order for
information to move from short-term memory into long-term memory, you
need to actively attend to this information. Try to study in a place
free of distractions such as television, music, and other diversions.
2. Avoid cramming by establishing regular study sessions.
According to Bjork (2001), studying materials over a number of
session’s gives you the time you need to adequately process the
information. Research has shown that students who study regularly
remember the material far better that those did all of their studying
in one marathon session.
3. Structure and organize the information you are studying.
Researchers have found that information is organized in memory in
related clusters. You can take advantage of this by structuring and
organizing the materials you are studying. Try grouping similar
concepts and terms together, or make an outline of your notes and
textbook readings to help group related concepts.
4. Utilize mnemonic devices to remember information.
Mnemonic devices are a technique often used by students to aid in
recall. A mnemonic is simply a way to remember information. For
example, you might associate a term you need to remember with a common
item that you are very familiar with. The best mnemonics are those
that utilize positive imagery, humor, or novelty. You might come up
with a rhyme, song, or joke to help remember a specific segment of
information.
5. Elaborate and rehearse the information you are studying.
In order to recall information, you need to encode what you are
studying into long-term memory. One of the most effective encoding
techniques is known as elaborative rehearsal. An example of this
technique would be to read the definition of a key term, study the
definition of that term, and then read a more detailed description of
what that term means. After repeating this process a few times, your
recall of the information will be far better.
6. Relate new information to things you already know.
When you are studying unfamiliar material, take the time to think
about how this information relates to things that you already know. By
establishing relationships between new ideas and previously existing
memories, you can dramatically increase the likelihood of recalling
the recently learned information.
7. Visualize concepts to improve memory and recall.
Many people benefit greatly from visualizing the information they
study. Pay attention to the photographs, charts, and other graphics in
your textbooks. If you don’t have visual cues to help, try creating
your own. Draw charts or figures in the margins of your notes or use
highlighters or pens in different colors to group related ideas in
your written study materials.
8. Teach new concepts to another person.
Research suggests that reading materials out loud significantly
improves memory of the material. Educators and psychologists have also
discovered that having students actually teach new concepts to others
enhances understanding and recall. You can use this approach in your
own study by teaching new concepts and information to a friend or
study partner.
9. Pay extra attention to difficult information.
Have you ever noticed how it's sometimes easier to remember
information at the beginning or end of a chapter? Researchers have
found that the position of information can play a role in recall,
which is known as the serial position effect. While recalling middle
information can be difficult, you can overcome this problem by
spending extra time rehearsing this information or try restructuring
the information so it will be easier to remember. When you come across
an especially difficult concept, devote some extra time to memorizing
the information.
10. Vary your study routine.
Another great way to increase your recall is to occasionally change
your study routine. If you are accustomed to studying in one specific
location, try moving to a different spot to study. If you study in the
evening, try to spend a few minutes each morning reviewing the
information you studied the previous night. By adding an element of
novelty to your study sessions, you can increase the effectiveness of
your efforts and significantly improve your long-term recall.
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