EFFECTIVE MEMORIZATION

TECHNIQUES

Why is this Important?

Memory is like a muscle - the more it is used, the better it gets!

Learning effective memorizing strategies can help improve

your efficiency with a variety of tasks, including:

Studying for a Test

Memorizing Lines
Memorizing a Speech
Remembering names, phone numbers, passwords, zip codes, recipes,
complicated procedures, etc.
The possibilities are endless!

Using Your Whole Mind to Remember

Mnemonics are methods for remembering
information that is otherwise difficult to
recall.

Effective memorization begins with using as

many of the best functions of the human brain
as possible to code information. This includes:

Images,

color, structure, sounds, smells, tastes, touch,

spatial awareness, emotion, and language.
Additionally, symbols (red traffic lights, pointing
fingers, road signs, etc.) can code quite complex
messages quickly and effectively.

Create Associations

Memory is a network of neurons. The brain learns by associating new information with
existing information. It adds new networks to existing networks of neurons.

What does this mean?

Linking the information to familiar ideas, personal experiences, or physical senses is the
most powerful means of memorization.

A similarly beneficial technique is linking together the information you wish to memorize.

For Example: If you are trying to remember items on a grocery list, such as corn, bananas,
potatoes, and milk, associate the items together in a visualization.

Use your imagination! Funny or peculiar things are easier to remember than normal ones.

Example: Cornanasilk = Corn, Bananas, Milk

Use RepetitionUse Repetition

Repetition is one of the most basic learning techniques. Infants use it to learn to
speak. Athletes use it to perfect athletic skills.

Repetition helps the brain to form a stronger connection related to that piece of
information.

People can only hold an average of 5-9 pieces of information in their short term
memory at a time, therefore concentrating on only a few pieces of data at a time is
important.

Repetition Tips

Make flashcards

Re-read material out loud

Break data into clusters

Write lecture summaries

Create an Acronym or Acrostic

Use each first letter from a group of words to form a new word.

Each of the letters in the word is meant to trigger your memory to help
you remember an item.

This is particularly useful when remembering words in a specified

order.

Remember the acrostic for the order of operations in math? Please

Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally tells students that the proper order for
performing math functions is: Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication,
Division, Addition and Subtraction.

ROY G. BIV tells us the order of the colors of the rainbow.

Other examples include: NBA (National Basketball Associations),

SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus), BTUs (British
Thermal Units)

Acronym and Acrostic Cont.

Steps to creating useful acronyms and acrostics:

Decide what portions of the content need to be memorized and if there

are logical groupings for this content.
Create a sentence/word that has a rhythm and that makes sense.
Use a word or symbol that is relevant to the overall subject matter.

Examples:

Make a Rhyme or a Song

Rhythm, melody, and rhyme can all aid memory

Many ancient Greek stories were told by storytellers who

would rely solely on their memories. The use of rhyme,
rhythm, and repetition helped the storytellers remember them.

You can use the same techniques to better remember information from
courses. For example, even the simple addition of familiar rhythm and
melody can help. Do you remember learning the alphabet? Many children
learn the letters of the alphabet to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Using these techniques can be fun, particularly for people who

like to create. Rhymes and songs draw on your auditory
memory and may be particularly useful for those who can
learn tunes, songs, or poems easily.

Use Your Study Time Wisely

Develop and plan for blocks of study time in a

typical week

Dedicate a space for study

Decide when you are most productive. Are you a

morning person or a night owl?
Determine a place free from distraction (people, noise,
your cell phone, etc.) where you can maximize your
concentration. Have a back-up space that you can
escape to.

Take breaks

Some difficult materials may require more frequent

breaks.

Take time to relax or otherwise refresh or re-energize

yourself.

Have a snack.

Study Skills Cont.

Weekly reviews

Prioritize your assignments

Each week, dedicate a day and time to review.

Dont procrastinate! Learning information takes time, so plan ahead.

When studying, get in the habit of beginning with the most difficult subject or
task. Youll be fresh, and have more energy to take them on when you are at
your best.

Get rest

Rest is one of the most important factors that impacts the way the brain works
and the quality of how it works. The body needs 7-8 hours of sleep per day.
Power naps are effective in refreshing the mind.

Have a Positive Mental Attitude

Set yourself up to be successful.

If you can see progress in your

learning, you are more likely to stick
with it.

Do your studying when you are at

your mental best.

Have confidence in yourself; know

that you can accomplish the goals
you set.

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Michigan Universitys Academic and Career Advisement
Center. It may not be reproduced without written consent.
http://www.nmu.edu/acac