Is it feasible to enhance your memory? If you’ve ever forgotten where you put your keys or blanked out facts on an important test, you’ve undoubtedly wished your memory was a little better. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to boost your memory.
Obviously, using a reminder system can be beneficial. Setting up an online calendar that sends reminders to your phone can assist you in keeping track of all of your appointments and meetings. Making daily to-do lists might help you remember key chores that must be performed.
But what about all of the critical knowledge that you need to commit to long-term memory? It may take some work, and it may even necessitate modifying or drastically altering your typical study schedule, but there are a variety of tactics you can employ to get more out of your memory.
Check out some of these tried-and-true memory-improvement practices before your next major exam. These 11 research-backed tactics will help you improve your memory, recall, and retention of knowledge.
Pay Close Attention
One of the most important aspects of memory is attention. You must actively attention to information in order for it to go from your short-term memory to your long-term memory. Make an effort to study in an environment devoid of distractions such as television, music, and other diversions.
Getting rid of distractions might be difficult, especially if you live with raucous roommates or noisy youngsters. Set aside a little period of time for yourself. Request some distance from your housemates or ask your partner to watch the kids for an hour so you can focus on your job.
Prevent Cramming
Studying topics across a number of sessions allows you to fully process knowledge. Students who study on a regular basis recall the content significantly better than those who spend all of their studying in one marathon session, according to research.
Organize and structure
Researchers discovered that information in memory is grouped into similar clusters. 2 You may take advantage of this by organising and organizing your study materials. To assist organize related topics, try putting comparable concepts and words together, or build an outline of your notes and textbook readings.
Use Mnemonic Devices
Students frequently employ mnemonic methods to help with remember. A mnemonic is merely a method of remembering information. For example, you may identify a difficult-to-remember phrase with a common item with which you are quite familiar. Mnemonics that use pleasant imagery, comedy, or novelty are the most effective.
Experiment and practice
You must encode what you are studying into long-term memory in order to recall it. Elaborative rehearsal is one of the most successful encoding strategies.
As an example, read the definition of a key phrase, then examine the meaning of that term, and then read a more extensive description of what that term implies. After a few repetitions of this method, you should find that recalling the knowledge is considerably simpler.
Concepts should be visualized
Visualizing the knowledge they learn is quite beneficial to many people. Take note of any images, charts, or other illustrations in your textbooks. If you don’t have any visual signals, consider making your own. To group similar topics in your written study materials, draw charts or figures in the margins of your notes, or use highlighters or pens in different colors.
Read it aloud
According to research conducted in 2017, reading documents aloud boosts your remember of the information greatly. 3 Educators and psychologists have also observed that having pupils teach new topics to others improves comprehension and retention.
Get Some Rest
Sleep has long been recognized as vital for memory and learning by researchers. Taking a sleep after learning something new has been proved in studies to help you learn quicker and recall better.
In fact, one 2014 study discovered that sleeping after learning something new causes physical changes in the brain. Sleep-deprived mice grew fewer dendrites after completing a learning exercise than well-rested mice.
Disclaimer: No information on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used to replace direct medical advice from your doctor or other trained practitioner.
