Top 10 Memory Improvement Tips

Improve Your Memory With These Great Tips

By Kendra Cherry, About.com Guide

See More About: memory psychology tips cognitive psychology Do you find yourself forgetting where you left your keys or blanking out information on important tests? Fortunately, there are things that you can do to help improve your memory. Before your next big exam, be sure to check out some of these tried and tested techniques for improving memory. These strategies have been established within cognitive psychology literature to improve memory, enhance recall and increase retention of information. 1. Focus your attention on the materials you are studying. 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. Ads Psychology PhDEarn Your Psychology PhD Online. Request for Information!WaldenUniversity.com Losing Your Memory?Boost Brain Power in Just 15 Minutes a Day. Free MD Report!www.RepairYourAgingBrain.com Brain ExercisesImprove Memory and Attention with Brain Games by Scientistswww.lumosity.com 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 than those who do 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, you'll probably notice that recalling the information is much easier. 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 do not 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 actuallyteach new concepts to others enhances understanding and recall. You can use this approach in your own studies by teaching new concepts and information to a friend or study partner. Ads Jung, Darwin of the Mind-evolution, Jung, and Consciousness. A logical progression.www.jungdarwinbook.com Memory ChipRoHS Compliant, Huge Selection Best Wholesale Price, Inquire Nowwww.cxdaic.com 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 order 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. Another strategy is to try restructuring what you have learned 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 during your next study session. If you study in the evening, try spending 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.

Memory Improvement Exercise: 5 Tips To Increase Memory Retention

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There are actually a lot of memory improvement exercise available on the internet today. And as a student, to increase your memory retention is very necessary in order for you to retain those what you have learned in the class. Sometimes, you need to take food supplements that nourish your brain if you feel that you really have poor memory retention where you can forget even the most significant events. Different people have actually different approach about memorization. They may have used some of the effective way to memorize things or they may not. We are after for the effective way and smarter way where we can make use of our time. If your study habit is very time consuming, you may not even have time to play basketball, soccer, or whatsoever hobbies do you have. You must have to change your style of studying. Use some special techniques to memorize things easily. You can also refer to the bestselling e-book Best Grades which have a lot of strategies and guides to help improve your grades.

Human Brain by dierk schaefer

Well, some of these tips to help increase your memory retention are given: Tip # 1: Transformation to Images One of these techniques to memorize things easily is to convert the information you want to memorize into images images that will certainly remain in your memory for a long time. For example, you may remember the term flash drive as a car being driven in a flash within a certain car race. You need to visualize words like the flash drive which is a computer term to make it retain in your memory for a long time and retrieve it if needed. Anyway, it is always better to understand everything first before trying to memorize it and to associate with images. Tip # 2: Make another Story

When you are memorizing a certain story or event, choose a word or phrase on each sentence or paragraph and compose another story, perhaps your own story that you will be familiar with. Make a good association with words so that it will link the main and secondary ideas. Tip # 3: Comparison and Contrast Comparison and contrast is very effective when you are trying to memorize or remember other peoples name. This is where certain famous names are being compared to someone or something you already know. You may remember Albert Einstein with your best friend Albert who is already eighteen. Or Newton with your new cell phone tone. The same goes when you wish to remember important places and things. Such things in comparison or contrast to the one you want to retain in your memory should be the most relevant and most familiar to you. In this way, there is a greater chance that you could even remember it for a lifetime. Tip # 4: First Letter Coding I guess this is the most use and most common technique in memorization. You will simply get the first letter of each word that you want to memorize. For example: G - Government S - Service I - Insurance S System So, to remember Government Service Insurance System you only need to note GSIS. Well, in my networking subject I use to memorize the OSI layer with this one: Layer 7 Application - Anymore. Layer 6 Presentation - Physics Layer 5 - Session - Study Layer 4 Transport - To Layer 3 - Network - Need Layer 2 - Data link - Dont Layer 1 - Physical - People As you can see, I try to construct a sentence using the first letter of each OSI layer. So, in order to memorize this seven layers easily, I only have to remember the sentence; People dont need to study Physics anymore . Of course, you still need to study Physics. Its just a code. Tip # 5: Memorizing Abstract Ideas Abstract ideas are harder to memorize than concrete objects. How would you picture out honesty anyway? These things need more concentration and investigation. You need to discover its secret, a secret that you will find effective in memorizing those abstracts ideas. A trick to this is to really associate it to objects in your surroundings that youre already familiar with. Or you can even do a little rhyming with those abstract ideas. The information in your memory could stay longer or even shorter. That actually depends on how well you performed you memorization. How well you memorized information really depends on how effective and efficient your memorization technique to perform a quick retention and recall.

Disability Services
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE MEMORY AND RETENTION
GULP GULP is an acronym for an effective four step process to improve short and long term memory. Step 1: G - Get It "The true art of memory is the art of attention" -Samuel Johnson be present and conscious during the initial learning pay attention and listen experience the initial learning with as many senses as possible Step 2: U - Use It review material immediately repeat it write it down sing or chant it recreate the experience of the learning Step 3: L - Link It associate new learning with something already known link it to something it sounds like (acoustical link) link it to a location make an acronym link mind map it rhyme it group it categorize it alphabetize it Step 4: P - Picture It create a visual image of the association make it move make it vivid make it bizarre exaggerate it use color use all senses - seeing, hearing, tasting, smellingASSOCIATION AND LINKING TECHNIQUES 1. Acoustical Links Definition: linking new learning with substitute words that sound alike. Effective for remembering the following: vocabulary words foreign languages names dates and events matching items (for a test) Examples: crabs are crustaceans. Picture a crab eating, holding, or walking on a crust of bread. barrister means lawyer, and sounds like "bear". Picture a bear is a suit acting like a lawyer. 2. Acronym Links Definition: using first letter of list to form a word, sentence, or phrase. Effective for remembering the following: lists of people, places, or things things or steps in a sequence, formulae Example: Roy G. Biv - the colors in the rainbow Every good boy does fine - musical notes on scale -EGBDF HOMES - Great Lakes (Huron Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior) 3. Linking with Key Words that Rhyme Definition: Using rhyming "peg" words to remember a list of up to ten items. Effective for remembering the following: lists of people, places, or things

things or steps in a sequence Examples: one-bun (associate first item on list with bun two-shoe (associate second item on list with shoe), etc. 4. Linking with Poems and Songs Definition: creating a rhyme, poem, or song to associate with new material to be learned

Effective for remembering the following: rules theorems Examples: "i" before "e" except after "c"... when two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking 30 days hath September, April, June, and November... artery begins with "a", from the heart it takes blood away veins has at its end and "n", it takes the blood back again 5. Linking with Locations (LOCI) Definition: linking items to be remembered with specific locations in a room or with locations on a mental map

Effective for remembering the following: lists of people, places, or things things or steps in a sequence dates and events Examples: make a mental map of some place very familiar, such as a bedroom, the classroom, the route taken to school. Items to be memorized are associated with certain landmarks in this map and recalled in that order. Objects in bedroom dresser chair desk List of things to do return book to library buy birthday card do Mrs. Willams' homework Mental picture dresser with books piled to ceiling giant greeting card sitting in chair picture Mrs. Williams sitting at desk scowling

Disability Services
STRATEGIES FOR READING AND STUDYING TEXTBOOKS
Survey: T - Title I - Introduction (Paragraph, outline) C - Conclusion (Summary) H - Headings (and Sub-headings) W - Words (Italics, bold print) I - Illustrations (Pictures, charts, etc.) Q - Questions (End of chapter) Underline: Read sub-section once. Read again and highlight major points. Highlight only information important to learn. DON'T underline too much! Repeat until chapter is completed. Study Cards: When reading and underlining is complete, go back and make study cards. Can be used for all information to be learned...not just vocabulary words. Summarize and organize information. Recite: Make a question out of topic on card. "Recite" the answer...don't just read it! Check your answer.

Disability Services
TECHNIQUES FOR EFFECTIVE STUDYING
The following techniques are about when to study, where to study, how to handle the rest of the world, and things to think about when you get stuck. When/how to study: Plan 3 hours of study time for every hour you spend in class. Study difficult or boring subjects first. Avoid scheduling marathon study sessions. Be aware of time of day when you are most alert. Use waiting time (waiting for the shuttle or sitting in a doctor's office). Where to study: Find a REGULAR study area. Don't get to comfortable before studying. Utilize the library. How to handle the rest of the world: Pay attention to your own attention. Make rules with your roommates concerning study time. Avoid noise distractions. Beware of individuals who misuse their time. Get off the phone. Learn to say NO. Hang a DO NOT DISTURB!!! sign on your door. Things to ask yourself when you get stuck: Ask: What is one task I can accomplish toward my goal? Ask: Am I being too hard on myself? Ask: How did I just waste that time? Ask: Would I pay myself for what I'm doing now? Ask: Can I do just one more small task before I stop studying?

Adapted from Becoming a Master Student by David. B. Ellis.

TIME MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

Quite often the most time consuming activity in a student's week can be the time spent deciding which assignment or responsibility to attend to first. A student who has five classes to study for may spend a great deal of time thinking about which classes deserve priority. In order to help you plan your time efficiently from the beginning of the semester, try to follow the steps outlined below. After you've read these steps for general time management, check out Techniques for Effective Studying for specific strategies to help you make the most efficient use of your studying time. 1. Determine which of your weekly hours are already spoken for. Consider the following categories: Class Time: How many unit hours are you taking? Study Time: Three hours of study time should be set aside for every hour of class time. This duration is hypothetical and may not apply to every class; some classes may require more study time and others less. Actual study time for each class will be determined in practice. Job Time: How many hours per week do you work? Transit Time: How many hours per week do you spend getting to and from school, work, and other activities? Sleep Time: Don't scrimp here; lack of sleep can throw the rest of your schedule off. Meal Time: This includes preparation, consumption, and relaxation. Chore Time: This includes household duties, laundry, shopping, etc. Leisure Time: This includes friends dropping over unexpectedly, sports, party time, recovery time, and any time that does not fall into any of the above categories. 2. TOTAL 168 hours. (There are 168 hours in a week; another inflexible quantity). 3. Fill these times into a weekly schedule. Note specific tasks and classes. Avoid general categories. 4. For a week following the first design of your schedule, keep an accurate count of the time actually spent in each category, noting actual time spent studying for each class, etc. 5. Develop an accurate and realistic schedule that integrates all of your findings. For specific strategies and tips for getting the most of your studying time, take a look at these Techniques for Effective Studying.

Speed Reading: 10 Tips to Improve Reading Speed & Reading Comprehension

by Speed Reading Expert, Richard L. Feldman, Ph.D. (Columbia University)

10. Read Early in the Day Many people can double their reading speed and improve their concentration by reading the material thats important to them early in the day.

9. Prioritize Your Reading Create three piles for your reading materials important, moderately important, and least important. Then read the material in their order of importance. Youll improve your reading speed by doing this, and improve your reading comprehension by getting to the important material first, when your mind is clear and sharp.

8. Skim Material First for Main Ideas Speed read for main ideas in nonfiction works like how-to books and educational texts. Scan the table of contents and first and last sentences of each paragraph. Youll improve your reading speed and comprehension if you understand a books structure first. This will help you know which parts of the book to skim and which parts to read more carefully.

7. Form a Question Improve your reading comprehension, reading speed, and concentration by turning headings and subheadings in textbooks and other nonfiction books into questions. Then scan the text for the answers. Your reading speed improves by doing this, and you become focused on your material.

6. Read in the Proper Environment Prop your book or magazine using a bookstand angling your reading material at 45 degrees improves your reading speed and reduces eyestrain. Avoid reading difficult or important material in bed, where your mind and body tend to relax. Youll stay alert if you sit at a desk instead.

5. Write a Course of Action on Correspondence Improve your reading speed and avoid re-reading correspondence by jotting brief notes immediately after reading each piece of correspondence. Simply refer to your notes on each piece when youre reading to respond some time later.

4. Avoid Highlighting Although readers believe that highlighting in yellow (or any other color, for that matter) improves their reading speed and comprehension, the reverse is actually true. Highlighting simply means they dont want to bother learning the material right now. The result: They end up reading the material twice, and possibly not understanding or remembering it either time!

3. Preview Before Reading Look through material first to get a sense of whats interesting and important to you, and what you might be able to skip. Then focus on the sections that you need to understand and remember, and skim or skip the rest.

2. Use a Flexible Reading Speed Some reading material must be read slowly and carefully: legal contracts, mathematical equations, and poetry are a few examples. Other reading material can be read at much faster speeds: newspapers, magazines, and novels. Adjust your reading speed to the type of reading material and your reading purpose.

1. Enroll in a Speed Reading Class Avoid on-line speed reading courses and do-it-yourself speed reading software. They dont work. Speed reading is best learned in a speed reading class taught by a knowledgeable, experienced, speed reading expert. If you are in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, Id love to see you in my speed reading course in New York.