Improve your Memory
Remembering information is an essential skill. If you are unable to remember what you’ve learned then you won’t be able perform well on tests and you will be unable to apply what you’ve learned in the real world. The following are a few proven tips and strategies for improving your ability to remember information.
- Make the information meaningful
One of the most common reasons that students don't remember is because material is presented in a way that is confusing or doesn't make sense. Students who try to memorize information they don't fully understand struggle to remember what they've read or heard. Don't try to memorize the author's words. First, put the information you're reading or hearing into your words as your own words are going to be meaningful and easy to understand. If you can't put information, a concept or idea in your own words it’s very unlikely that you're going to be able to remember the material for very long.
- Organize the information
Organizing material into to logical categories will help you learn, memorize and recall information more effectively. For example, if you have several dates you need to remember for a history test putting the dates in chronological order according to a sequential storyline can make recalling each date much easier. Instead of memorizing random dates you associate each date with specific event that lead to another event.
- Use pictures to improve memory
More often a person's memory for pictures or images is far better than their memory for words. Creating a mental picture can enhance a person's memory of verbal and written information. Mental pictures are especially helpful when attempting to learn and remember abstract words and concepts. Try to create vivid mental pictures that represent the concept or term.
- Active studying
You can not passively study material and expect to remember it. Remembering material requires active studying. The best way to ensure active studying is to think about the information you're learning by explaining it out loud to yourself or other people in your own words. Another way to actively study and improve your memory is to think critically about the material you're studying by comparing and contrasting, asking "how" and "why", determining its significance, etc.
- Frequent reviewing
Review the portions of the text that you highlighted or marked. By reviewing frequently you'll greatly improve your ability to remember information both in the short term and long term.
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