7 Techniques to Remember Anything

7 TECHNIQUES TO REMEMBER ANYTHING Do you struggle to remember the name of a person you were just introduced to? How is it that some people seem able to remember everything so easily? Fear not! There is hope for us all. Whether you're studying for a test or learning a language, remembering is easier than you think. LOCI Use it to: Memorize a speech Research shows that this method dramatically improves memory.' Scientists believe it works by utilizing our navigational and spatial memory skills.? HOW TO STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 Visualize each part of To recall the information, Mentally recall a journey you know well, for example, a walk through your house. the information that retrace your route and you want to memorize in a different room or locate each part as you go through your house. area of your house. PRO TIP Take a walk through your mind palace twice per day until the information sticks. 2 A ACRONYMS D Use it to: Memorize a group of words Research suggests that we remember things better and retain them longer when we give meaning to them. So it's much easier to recall a single, vivid word or phrase than a list of information. E L HOW TO STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 Identify IDENTIFY Explore Lookback DEFINE EXPLORE I E E ACTION LOOKBACK Action Define Compile the first Rearrange these letters To recall the items, go through your new word (the acronym) letter by letters of each item to form a new word that you need to remember. is easy for you to bring to mind. letter. PRO TIP We are more likely to remember things that are vivid, so make your new word as memorable as possible. North West N ........ For example, to remember the South ......... S points on a compass: NEWS. East RHYMING Use it to: Memorize information in a specific order Rhymes help us to memorize things, as our brains are good at breaking down the sound structure of words. This is known as acoustic encoding. HOW TO 30 days hath Septumben, Apnil, June and Example: 30 days hath September. April, June and It's time to get creative and let your inner poet out. November. Novemben PRO TIP Make it memorable The bat by linking your rhyme with visual images. steals `a hat LINKING Use it to: Memorize a shopping list By making associations between a list of items, you make use of a method called the Visualization & Association Technique, which changes abstract facts into mental pictures that are easy to remember." HOW TO STEP 1 STEP 2 Form a visual image for each item on Associate each image with the next Image on the list. Imagine bees flying your list. Link the soap to the shop by imagining a wall of soapy foam as you walk towards the shop. out of the bubbles and landing on a row of lettuce. PRO TIP Try linking your images together to tell a story. This helps to keep ceneal milk bread events in a logical order and can make the links more memorable. 5 A CHUNKING D 15 Use it to: 3.14 Memorize long numbers To chunk is to take individual pieces of information and group them into bitesize units. By separating individual elements into larger blocks, information becomes easier to 92 retain and recall." 65 35 HOW TO Take the For example: numbers that O Take this serial code: 7669 you need to 938476693758 9384 3758 remember, and O Break it down into 4 chunks: 9384 7669 group them into separate 3758. units. PRO TIP Challenge yourself to memorize larger chunks of numbers over time. Today try 12 numbers in 4 chunks; tomorrow try 24 3.141 5926 3.14 159 6368 9793১ TUE MON 265 358 2384 6264 numbers in 6 chunks. PQRST O Use it to: Memorize facts for an exam PQRST stands for Preview, Question, Read, State and Test. Experts say it works, because it provides you with stronger retrieval cues." HOW TO PREVIEW QUESTION READ =? Briefly skim through Ask important questions about the information Read the material the material. completely, without taking notes. you're reading. STATE TEST State the answers to Test yourself to make key questions out loud. sure you remembered the information. PRO TIP During the preview step, read the first and last paragraphs. This is the quickest way of getting the gist of the information. 7 WRITE IT DOWN Use it to: Learn a new language Writing by hand stimulates cells at the base of your brain, triggering your reticular activating system (RAS), which makes your brain pay more attention and active in forming each letter.12 HOW TO Write the words down on Apple Manzana flashcards, and review them three times a day. PRO TIP Use images, colors and different handwriting styles on your cards too. Stimulating multiple sensory nerves makes the information Ananzana NARANJA more memorable. 3 These techniques have been tried and tested by generations of scientists and put to use by millions of people. So no more excuses. It's time to build that mind palace or write a catchy rhyme. Which method will you choose? SOURCES: 'Dresler, Martin. Shirer, William R. Konrad, Boris N. Müller, Nils C.J. Wagner, Isabella C. Fernández, Guillén. Czisch, Michael. Greicius, Michael D. (2017), Mnemonic Training Reshapes Brain Networks to Support Superior Memory.cell.com 2Becker, Rachel. (2017). An ancient memorization strategy might cause lasting changes to the brain. theverge.com SPsych Central Staff. (2017). Memory and Mnemonic Devices. Psychcentral.com *Blair-Broeker, Charles T. Ernst, Randal M. (2007). Thinking About Psychology. books.google.com Sousa, David A. (2017). How the Brain Learns. Books.google.com SPort, R. (2007) How are words stored in memory? Beyond phones and phonemes. elsevier.com "Connor-Simons, A. Burrows, L (2015). Making visualizations more memorable. harvard.edu Mind Tools Editorial Team. (2011). The Link and Story Methods. Mindtools.com "Bor, D. (2012). The Ravenous Brain: How the New Science of Consciousness Explains Our Insatiable Search for Meaning. Goodreads.com 1OLintech. (2017). The PQRST method of reading.lintech.org "Ciaramelli, E. Neri, F. Marini, L. Braghittoni, D. (2015). Improving memory following prefrontal cortex damage with the PQRST method. ncbi.gov 12NHS Choices. (2011). Does typing make learning harder? nhs.uk "Cox, Michelle L. (2017). Effects of Multi-sensory Instruction Techniques. web.sbu.edu Dove, L (2014). Why do rhymes help people remember things. Howstuffworks.com C. Mohs, Richard. (2017). How to Improve Your Memory.health.howstuffworks.com Rubin, D.(1997). Memory in Oral Traditions: The Cognitive Psychology of Epic, Ballads, and Counting-out Rhymes. Books.google.com Hayden, K. (2012) The Link Method of Memary. brighthubeducation.com Pinola, M. (2016). The Science of Memory: Top 10 Proven Techniques to Remember More and Learn Faster. zapier.com Klauser, H. (2001), Write It Down, Make It Happen: Knowing What You Want And Getting It. goodreads.com D. Stevie. (2017). Everything You Ever Needed to Know About Language Learning Flashcards. fluentu.com Quid Corner This image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International License - www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 Your Financial Resource Centre ll