Memory Technique #1: Scheduled Memory

Piotr Wozniak, a Polish memory researcher, devised a way for one to retain any kind of information through the use of scheduled learning. Wozniak hypothesized that ‘forgetting information’ follows a pattern – the probability of retaining a particular piece of information becomes less likely through time. He also postulated that we could devise a way to repeat learning the information just before we begin to forget it; at this point, that particular piece of data would be remembered indefinitely. With this, we can remember any kind of information up to any degree.

Try to schedule your studying in such a way that you would study the same material in a couple of days, that is, just before you are forgetting it. Now this takes practice, so it makes sense to try out this memory technique to one subject first. As a worthwhile investment to study, this technique holds promise.

Memory Technique #2: Mnemonics

The use mnemonics – memory learning aids in the form of pictures, songs, or any kind of pattern that would help one remember – is one of the most often-used memory technique today. For example, memorizing the correct spelling of “rhythm” can be accomplished in by remembering the rule “h before y”, or by making an acronym out of it (Red-hot, Yellow Tapping, Two-Headed Monster) and visualizing that image, or by imagining the letter “h” winning a race.

The actual mnemonic depends on the preferences of the person and the nature of the situation; the point of the exercise is for the person to imagine enough references that he could remember the images that lead to the actual piece of information that is to be recalled.

Memory Technique #3: Rote Spiral

Rote memorization has had a bad rap these days – who wants to memorize a whole textbook, word-per-word? But certainly, there are applications to verbatim memorization: memorizing scripts, speeches, and yes, textbooks. There will always be instance wherein you would be required to memorize something ‘as it is’, and one way to do so is to use a rote spiral. A rote spiral is done by first by listing all the sentences that you need one by one, and then going through the material in a particular manner. Read the first sentence on the list, memorize it, and go to the second sentence. Then read the first, and second sentences, memorize both sentences in sequence, then go to the third sequence. Repeat the same procedure for the third sentences, doing the same thing for all the sentences you’ve listed and always repeating the sentences at the start of the list. With this kind of rote memorization, it is certain that you’ll remember any material verbatim.

Memory Technique #4: Loci Method

An ancient memorization technique developed by ancient Greeks and Romans, it’s a method that capitalizes on visualization and imagery to help in remembering content.

First choose a familiar path that you could use for your visualization, let’s say the route you use to go to school. Try to identify the landmarks that you see, and the particular bends and peculiarities of this route. After you’ve finalized all your mental landmarks, you’re now ready to use it for study memory. Imagine starting on this route, and then attaching each piece of content to the landmarks that you’ve appointed. For example, if you’re learning the periodic table, then you could imagine a ‘glass of hyrdogen’ at your doorstep, then a balloon full of helium near your gate, and so on. Again, it’s just using imagery to cement and commit material to memory.

Memory Technique #5: Creative Memory

It’s easy to remember a nursery rhyme, and we won’t forget a how to cook a favorite dish. We learn much of what we practice and we memorize what we tend to think about. This is the practice of creative memory, or the method of creating songs, comics, games, images, or any kind of creative content to help in memorizing something. Although it takes some time to come up with a final creation, it’s not really the product but the process that counts.

When you’re in a slump, try to make up a song or draw a cartoon of the particular material you are studying. If you’re particularly being creative about it, maybe you could construct a diorama, or a lego artwork of what you’re trying to memorize. More than anything else, it’s a fun and interesting way to do homework.

Helpful Techniques For Memorizing

Bettering your study memory is not just about rote learning. You can certainly improve your studying memory by mastering a few memorizing techniques as well. These techniques for memorizing might be time tested and used by people around the world, or you might have your own little memorization tips and can use these too if it helps you to learn and study better. Some of the most common memorization techniques for a better study memory are:

• Mnemonic Devices – Mnemonics are a very popular memorizing techniques. This is done by creating a phrase where the first letter of each word helps you remember a tough word or a list. A popular one is – My Very Elegant Mother Just Sat on Nine Pins, which is used to remember the names of the planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto. There are some common mnemonics while others you will have to create depending on your needs.
• Word Association – This is also a fun game where one word makes you think of something else. For example, if you can’t remember Roosevelt’s first name, it’s always helpful to think of a Teddy bear!
• Visualization – Different students have different types of learning styles and some students learn better if they can visualize what they are studying. If you are a visual learner, try to paint a picture in your head and if necessary draw charts and diagrams as well as this helps to improve your study memory.
• Note Taking – Some students find it easier to learn if they take good notes in class or at least make good notes from their study material. Note taking is a popular memorizing technique and most teachers recommend classroom note taking as a key memorizing tip. When taking notes, it is important to jot down only the key points or phrases so while you are studying,  you have a basic gist of the material and can remember what you learned by looking at your notes.
• Linking – Sometimes it is easier to remember things, especially a list if you club related items together. Even if the items on the list are not technically related to each other, if it helps you to remember better, then put them together. For example, if you are trying to remember a list of Shakespeare’s works, it is much easier if you apply this memorization technique. Club the author’s plays into Comedies, Tragedies, Historical Plays etc and then learn the items within each sub heading. It is much easier to remember shorter lists than long unrelated lists.

Further Tips To Improve Your Studying Memory

In addition to the various memorization techniques listed above, it is important to keep a few other memorizing tips in mind so you can improve your studying memory.

• Sleep well – Always get enough sleep because if your brain is not well rested it will find it harder to remember things you might otherwise know like the back of your hand.
• Control nerves – Getting nervous before a test or examination is normal but do not let the nervousness get the better of you or you will not be able to remember things as easily as you like.
• Study in advance – It might sound silly, but it is important that you start preparing in advance. The brain retains things much better if you study and then review your material a couple of times. Last minute studying is usually not a good idea and does not help your study memory.
• Avoid distractions – Study in a place that does not distract you. If you are constantly distracted while trying to memorize something, you will not be able to remember the things you learn as you will not be paying full attention to the material. An important memorizing tip to keep in mind is that a distraction-free environment ensures full concentration and dramtically impacts your study memory.

Improving your study memory is an important study skill to acquire and by using one or a combination of these memorizing techniques, you will find that you will be able to study much better than before.