Jessica Hung, Week 15 - Tips for Memorization

Throughout our lives, we constantly need to process and memorize new information. Some people can store extensive amounts of information in their brains (I envy these people so much). I, however, can barely remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday. My terrible memory is a constant problem for me, especially when it comes to tests. So, here is a list of methods I utilize when studying:

  1. Use Mnemonic Devices

    • I like to come up with weird acronyms or rhymes to help me memorize information. The weirder your acronyms are, the better. Also, why is “mnemonic” so hard to spell and pronounce?

  2. Chunking

  • Breaking down and grouping large amounts of information into smaller pieces makes the information more manageable and less overwhelming.

  1. Repetition

    • Reading the information out loud over and over again helps me reinforce it in my brain. For formulas, writing them down on paper several times helps too.

  2. Make Connections

    • I love making interesting connections between new concepts and ones that I already know and relating them to specific personal stories.

  3. Engage With The Material

    • Using a blank piece of paper, I like to cover the information up and quiz myself or summarize key points. Highlighting important vocabulary and formulas helps me engage with the material. Writing notes, creating mind maps, and using flashcards are great ways to summarize lengthy chapters.

  4. Get Enough Sleep And Eat Well

    • Getting at least seven hours of sleep helps me stay alert and process information. It is also important to stay hydrated and have a good diet. Personally, I can never study on an empty stomach. 

  5. Minimize Distractions

    • Studying in a comfy environment with minimal noise helps me stay engaged.

  6. Teach Others

    • Explaining concepts to others can help you recall and reinforce information. For example, I would teach a friend or bombard a clueless sibling.

  7. Take Breaks

    • Go outside and take a walk. Taking breaks can help your brain reset and process information better. However, scrolling on Instagram for one hour is not a break—it’s just procrastination.

Obviously, there are more methods and tricks that people use to memorize information. The eight that I have listed here are the ones that I’ve found the most successful for me. The most important thing is to find a couple of methods that work specifically for you. If you have any other tips, please share them! 

P.S. I think I ate a croissant yesterday for breakfast, but now I feel like I’m gaslighting myself.

I Wish I Could Open My Brain (taken from Google)

Comments

  1. Stavya GaonkarMay 1, 2024 at 5:24 PM

    With AP exams coming up, I thought your blog topic for this week was extremely relevant. I think we all share the frustration of not being able to remember what we want to, and I also agree that the amount of information that different people can store in their brains varies widely. However, I also think that everyone could use the memorization tricks that you listed in order to improve the amount of information that they retain. My favorite technique that you listed is the “mnemonic devices” technique. Our brains recall information through connections, and I have found that the best way I can ensure that I remember something is by connecting new information to old information. For example, I often make acronyms about the information I am learning or try to say it in a way that I will remember. I also try to connect numbers I have memorized with numbers that I use everyday. Overall, I appreciated how informative your blog was and I am amazed that you have your own set of memorization techniques that you actively use while learning. I wish you the best of luck on AP exams and I hope that these methods work well for you in the next couple of weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Praghna May 1, 2024 at 6:32 PM

    Hi Jessica! I have pretty bad long term memory so this is very helpful and relatable.
    I love the clear list format you chose for your blog as it reduces your key ideas and organizes them perfectly.
    Whenever there is a concept or word I need to remember I like to memoize mnemonics and found them very help, for example for the diatomic elements HOFBrNCl. (I had no idea that mnemonic has an m because the letter literally has no purpose being there). I also tend to use repetition through flashcards and making connections to things in my daily life (in some vocabulary quizzes I like to associate a certain word with a certain aspect or person).
    I really like that you included the “get enough sleep and eat well” because I feel a lot of people don’t understand how valuable sleep is for our memory so thank you for that!
    Overall, all of the points you mentioned seem extremely useful and I will definitely take your advice while studying!

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