Many courses in high school and beyond require students to memorize massive amounts of information. Memorizing for even one class can be difficult, but it can be even more frustrating to juggle multiple classes with steep memorization demands. Fortunately, though, memorizing is not just for an elite group of “born” memorizers—anyone can develop their memorization abilities with the right kind of practice and some tried and true memorization tips. In honor of World Elephant Day, here are some simple memorization tips that can help you memorize like our favorite peanut-loving friends.
1. Try to understand the information first.
Information that makes sense to you will be much easier to memorize! Instead of cramming gibberish into your head, take some time trying to understand the material before trying to memorize it – you’ll be glad you did.
2. Sleep on it.
When learning new information, most of what we learn gets temporarily stored in the hippocampus, which has a limited storage capacity. But when you sleep, your brain processes information and encodes it into long-term memory. This is also why you’ll be much more successful if you work at memorizing something over a few days as opposed to all at once. Try reviewing information just before you go to sleep, and it may help embed that information into your memory.
3. Quiz yourself.
Periodically quiz yourself on the information you are trying to memorize. Don’t just re-read your notes – actively force yourself to remember the information without looking at the material. By quizzing yourself, you can identify areas that you’re still struggling with. You might also have someone else quiz you to get the same benefits with an added social element.
4. Use vivid mental images.
The next time you have a key item to remember, try devising a memorable visual image that represents that item. Images help you remember difficult concepts by activating your brain’s visuospatial centers. And the more sensory detail you can add to that image, the easier it will be for you to recall information: try to smell, feel, and hear the image. For example, if you are trying to memorize that the capital of Australia is Canberra, you might imagine a kangaroo eating a bowl of cranberries.
5. Write it down.
Even if you already take notes by hand, try re-writing those notes by hand as a way of encoding the information into your brain. Research shows that writing and re-writing by hand activates the parts of the brain involved in learning and memory. Bonus points if you also reorganize the information as you write, as doing so engages your brain more deeply in the process, prompting greater retention.
6. Make a memory tower.
If you’re a kinesthetic learner, you may benefit from a more physical approach. Place information you need to memorize around the house, imagining yourself in a “memory tower”. Memorize as you move from place to place.
7. Link it to something you know.
Remember new information by linking it to a strong existing memory. You’ll retain the new information better because of the strength of the attached memory. For example, if you’re trying to memorize that the atomic number of gold is 79, and your grandmother turned 79 last year, imagine your grandma surrounded by gold presents.
8. Use mnemonics.
Mnemonics are an awesome way to make information more memorable. You might struggle to remember the names of all of Henry VII’s wives, but the mnemonic All Boys Should Come Home Please (Aragon, Boleyn, Seymour, Cleves, Howard, Parr) can streamline your recollection.
9. Practice repeatedly.
For a concept to move from your temporary working memory to your long-term memory, you need repeated exposure to that concept. Use repetition techniques (like flashcards) to firmly lodge information in your memory, and space out your repetitions to ensure that the information has really stuck in your memory. Fun fact: most of us need four exposures to new information in order to memorize it.
10. Mix it up.
Each time you review information, try to use a different memorization strategy that capitalizes on a different learning style. Working in this way creates multiple neural pathways to the same piece of information, making it easier to access the information when you need it.
Need more help mastering these skills, or want more memorization tips? Our executive functioning team is here to help.
