Source: reasontostand.org
We’ve all been there: hours of pacing the hallway with a textbook, munching on memory-enhancing vitamins, parroting a sentence dozens of times over and over, and then we get to the exam and our mind just goes blank.
All human beings, especially those of us involved in education and academics, have wondered at the unpredictable nature of our memories. But aside from those who have taken at least an Introduction to Psychology class recently, many of us would likely benefit from a refresher on the best and fastest memorization techniques to avoid coming up with that terrifying blank once we actually have to take the test.
- Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Sounds basic, but we all intrinsically memorize data by raw repetition. Reading out loud employs three different facets of our minds – seeing, verbalizing, and hearing the information, making memorization more effective. When testing ourselves, we should write down and then read aloud what we have memorized to maintain the three-fold engagement of our brains . - Think Before Memorizing
Why is it easier to remember several verses of a poem than a new credit card number? Because words carry meaning more readily than numbers and our brains need to rationally connect concepts in order to retain them. Despite how we often feel about our study materials, they typically do make logical sense. All we need to do is think about the data before we attempt to carve them into our cerebral cortex. In essence, don’t try to memorize something you don’t have a good grasp of first. - The 80/20 Rule
Generally speaking, about 20% of the information that we pack into our short-term memory will not make it over to the long-term retention center of our brains. So with the exception of last minute pre-test cramming (like you would ever do that. Right?), we will do well if we plan our studying with the 80/20 rule in mind. - Mnemonic Devices
CRAM – Cognizant Repetition Aids Memory; that is an example of mnemonic devices, which create a shortcut for our brain to access desired information. Forgetting in practical terms often means that our brains simply lost the key to the safety box in which the sought after information is still neatly folded away. Mnemonic devices help the brain retrieve the path to the hidden treasure of knowledge. - Sleep On It
The power of sleep is undeniable, and it does not only apply in the cases of interpersonal conflict or difficult decision making. Believe it or not, taking a nap after a study session or reviewing notes before bed considerably enhances the ability of our brains to follow through with memorizing. So despite popular practice: easy on the coffee, drop the idea of a sleepless cramming night, and instead relax and take a nap.
Need more tips for memorization? Flashcards are a great tool to take advantage of. Check out our infographic to see why!
