11 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY

Most of us often forget things easily. You place your keys here, and in the next moment you can’t seem to find it . what about appointments you forget to meet? Well, this article will focus on how you can enhance long-term memory.

1.       Focus attention on the materials you are studying. Increased attention and focus enhance retention, you move from short-term memory into long-term memory. Study in a place free from distractions such as television, music and other diversions.

2.       Avoid cramming, establish regular study sessions. Bjork (2001), helps us to understand that studying materials over a number of sessions gives you the time you need to adequately process the information. Research shows that students who study regularly remember the material far better than those who do all of their study in one marathon session.

3.       Organize the information you are studying: Researchers have discovered that information is organized in memory in related clusters. Therefore, try grouping similar concepts and terms together, or make an outline of notes and textbook readings to help group related concepts.

4.       Use mnemonic devices to remember information: A mnemonic is simply a way to remember information. For instance, you might associate a term you need to remember with a common item that you are very familiar with such as a rhyme, song or joke to help remember a specific segment of information.

5.       Always rehearse the information you are studying: for example when you read the definition of a key term, study the definition of that term and then read a more detailed description of what that term means. This way recalling the information is much easier.

6.       Try to picture concepts to improve memory and recall:  While you read, pay attention to the photographs, charts and other graphics in your textbook.

7.       Compare new information to things you already know: this it becomes easier to recall

8.       Teach new concepts to another person: the more you teach others the more you get to know it. If you teach ten persons the new concept, you will know it ten times more than others.

9.       Pay more attention to difficult information: slow down while you read so the information will sink into your brain.

10.   Vary your study routine: study in different locations and times. If you always study in the evening, try to do it in the morning sometimes

11.   Get some sleep: it helps to improve recall. Always rest well each night. Better still you could take a nap after reading.