exams: Memory tips techniques and strategies

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2.Actively listen.


If you pay very close attention during the original lectures, not only will you have an easier time remembering the information but you’ll also be able to study more efficiently because your brain will have an easier time recalling the information. Really work to listen when you’re in class and keep yourself engaged with the conversation of learning by asking questions and really getting involved with the lessons.

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3.Take notes.


Another good way to “listen” to the lecture is to take notes. This will help keep you on track for paying attention, but it will also give you great material to study from later. Remember, when you take notes, the idea isn’t to write down everything that your teacher says. Instead, write down the important stuff. Write down the outline of the lecture and fill it in with facts, and explanations for the tough concepts that you know you’ll struggle with.

For example, if you were taking notes on each article, you’d probably break your notes down for each section of the article, and write one or two takeaways for each step.

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4.Do your own research. You can help yourself remember what you learn and also help yourself get more interested in what you’re studying by taking ownership of your education and looking for more information outside of what your teacher talks about. This can help you better understand the concepts but also give you a more solid framework on which you can build with the information covered in class. You might even find interesting things that you think are really cool!

For example, let’s say you’re studying chemistry and your teacher is talking about the discovery of all sorts of new compounds around the late 1800s and early 1900s. You might stop and think to yourself, “What did people do with all this new stuff?” If you did some research, you’d find out that all those new compounds were used to make new, brightly colored paints. These new colors were responsible for an artistic revolution which gave us painters like Van Gogh and Monet.

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5 .Get some context. If you’re having a hard time following along with what your teacher is saying, try giving yourself a bit more context for the information. Sometimes, when you can more clearly visualize what’s being discussed, you’ll have an easier time understanding what’s happening and keep track of new information as it comes in.

For example, if you’re studying history but you find you just can’t keep track of everything that’s happening, try going to a museum or watching a documentary that deals with that subject. This will give you something to imagine as you learn and it might even explain some ideas in a different and better way than your teacher.

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Part 4 of 4: Using Memory Tricks and Tools

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Use a mind map.


A mind map is a great way to help yourself remember information better. To make a mind map, break down the information that you need to learn into categories, and then into individual ideas. Write down all of these ideas on note cards and then pin or tape them to a large wall, with the ideas grouped by category. You can then connect similar ideas with string or color code the cards to convey even more information.

This means that (if you learn your mind map) when you go to take a test, all you have to do is bring up the map in your mind and you’ll have a much easier time “finding” the information you need.

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Create your own mnemonics.

Mnemonics are songs, phrases, or words which act like a shorthand for much more complicated information. You can learn common ones for more standard information, or you can make up your own that are specific to what you’re trying to remember.

For example, the phrase “Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge” is commonly used to remember the notes on a staff. Another example is the name “Pvt. Tim Hall”, which can be used to remember the list of the essential amino acids.

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Study in groups.


When you study, try studying with other people. This works really well for a lot of different reasons. Mainly, it can engage many different learning styles and most people will find that they understand information better when they have to explain it to someone else. Studying in groups also means that if one of you doesn’t understand something very well or if you were gone on an important day, there are other people there who can help you get back on track.

Talk to your classmates about studying in groups, but remember that it’s not really a time to be social. You shouldn’t choose study mates based on who you’re friends with. You should try to study with people that take the class seriously and put in as much effort as you do.

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Focus on one task at a time


. When we break our focus, it can often take 20 minutes or more before we can properly regain our focus, according to studies.[6] Our brains also have a limit on how much attention can be paid at any given time, never mind our basic physical limits. This is why it’s best to sit down in a place with as few distractions as possible and just study until you’re done studying.

Avoid music or TV too. Focusing on one task means it’s also a good idea to skip on watching TV or listening to lyric-heavy music while you study. Studies have shown that these almost universally do more harm than good, because it takes too much brain power to both hear the music and intensely focus on your task.[7]

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Make connections. When you’re studying, try to make connections between the material you’re trying to learn and the material you already know. By making connections you’ll not only understand the material better (making it more useful to you in your everyday life), you’ll also have an easier time remembering it. You shouldn’t feel limited by subject matter either: if you see a connection between your favorite subject in history and your new assignment in math, then by all means make that connection solidly in your mind.

For example, you might notice that there are some weird words and sentence structures in English. This can be connected to the various cultures that have conquered in England (and the colonies) over the course of history.

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Start studying as soon as possible.

The best, least complicated thing that you can do to help yourself remember what you study better is to just start studying as early as possible. The earlier you start studying, the more chances you have to go over the information repeatedly and really lock those facts away in your brain. Studying the night before really won’t do you any favors, maybe earning you two or three correct questions on a test. Studying for just a short time every other day for a month leading up to a test will probably earn you a perfect score, or at least that “A” you’re hoping for.