Sunday, December 16, 2012

How to memorize effectively and never forget


The brain is very powerful. The human brain is one of the best gifts we have that is designed and given freely by God. If you know how to use it effectively, it will benefit you well. It is a common saying that "Strength is to the youth, but wisdom is to the old". As we grow old, we become wiser. So is our brain, the more you use your brain and train your memory, the more powerful, more productive, and more effective it becomes.
There are a lot of different methods on how to memorize depending on what works for certain individuals. Different memorization techniques are largely dependent on each person. One technique may not apply very well to one person while it is the best method for another person. These techniques below is from my personal experience. Some of the methods here however are also based on other people that I know and they said their method or technique on how they memorize have worked for them and yielded excellent results whether in exams, tests, quizes, recitations, lectures, oral boards, and other forms of testing.

Techniques, Methods on How to Memorize Effectively:

- First read quickly, reading through the main headings to familiarize the terms and terminology.
- If there is a list or enumeration steps, kinds of, types of, steps in, procedures for, and other similar listings, then memorize the list, write and memorize the codes. Example: for a listing of the types of compressors: (1) reciprocating (2) rotary (3) centrifugal - the memorization code would be to take the first letter of the listings, so RRC.
- Memorize the easy ones first, and work yourself up to the harder or longer ones.
- After reading, self-test yourself by not looking at your notes or book by simply looking at the heading and recalling what follows below it.
- After a self-test, it would be recommended to do a final quick read to refresh yourself and this is best done in the early morning hours where the surrounding is quiet and peaceful.
- After two hours of studying, reading, memorizing, recall, and anything related, you must relax this time. Do something different - eat snack, take a shower, take a walk, watch tv, etc.
- When reading, memorizing, and studying, even when you don't understand, focus on the words only (for the time being). If you try to understand and there is no way you can understand it, don't bother, just focus on the wordings, phrases, and sentences for now.
- Memorize short term and you would perform well in your exams and tests. However, for the long term, if you understand the principles of operation, how it works, how it functions, how it is making sense and finding a correlation or application - then you will know it by heart, and remember forever as long as you live and while your brain is at its effective and productive stage.
- If there are say 5 main headings in a page, and a heading consists of 5 sentences, read/memorize and have a break of 2 to 3 minutes per heading. Breaks are important: first it relaxes your mind, your brain will be given time to absorb and process it, and even think of associations.
- Breaks are paramount. You should have a break of at least 5 to 7 minutes for a long paragraph or list, and then 10 minutes per page.
- Another technique used by other people that I know and it worked effectively for them is to read 4 times per page.
- Depending on each person, but for me personally, I am more effective and productive if I study in the morning, with a fresh mind, good sleep, well rested, in a quite room, with silent atmosphere, perfect for the purpose.
- Manage you time wisely. Make a timetable of your plan to study and stick to it.
- Write it down. Some people find this technique effective. They study, memorize, and recall by writing it down.
- If you are reading or studying, and you realize that nothing is going inside your mind, then Relax! If you push yourself, you will be unproductive anyway and will remember less, probably the first and last words only, so it is not worth it. You need to rest, relax, and have a break. There is no point of reading, studying, or memorizing when you are tired, sleepy, and stressed out.
- Balance of activities. Don't just sit there or lie down reading, for sure you will hurt your neck, back, or other muscle groups. You can exercise during your breaks, drink tea, and do other short activities to have a good balance of brain and body exercise.
- Exercise regularly. This worked for me. I feel more confident when I exercise on a regular basis.
- Reinforce by reciting, rewriting, talking to your self, self-testing, or be orally tested (quized/questioned by someone).
- If you are well prepared, then you are more confident of acing an examination or a test.
- Repetition is your friend. This method worked effectively for me.
- Determine the keyword or keywords that sums up or the phrase that tells about the jist of the sentence.
- Remember the keywords and highlight them.
- Association. If you can connect what you are memorizing and relate it to things you already know, for example name of a person, object, or whatever that is somewhat related, it will help you remember.
- Memorize the code words, code letters, keywords, connection/link phrases, or other means of associations and relations you made.
- Visualize a picture of the procedure or operation. For example, if you are memorizing the procedure of how to safely remove the fuse and replace it, the best way to memorize it is by picturing yourself actually doing it and visualization or imagination of the whole process. The steps should logically flow if you imagine and picture yourself doing it.
- Fill in the blanks. If you are memorizing a sentence, you can try to read the first two or three beginning words and fill in the blanks for the rest of the sentence.
- For short paragraphs, read once, do the memorize/fill in the blanks technique for 3 times, and then read once again.
- For long paragraphs, read once, do the memorize/fill in the blanks technique for 5 times, and then read once again.
- Do not cram before your test or exam. Relax, and get a good 7 to 8 hours of sleep the night before.
- Have a well balanced diet, some protein, milk, and some fresh fruits or vegetables. For breakfast, bread and orange juice works for some people. Others prefer meat and carbohydrates. Some prefer cereal, milk, and yogurt. Just eat a reasonable meal but do not overeat, you do not want an upset stomach while having your exam, test, speech, lecture, presentation, and other related tasks which you prepared for!

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