Remembering…Remembering…

Memorization Techniques that will work for Memorization Techniques that will work for you…you…

Introduction…Introduction…

Unless you get sick or die, your Unless you get sick or die, your brain never loses anything that brain never loses anything that goes into memory.goes into memory.

Forgetting is caused by not being Forgetting is caused by not being able to retrieve it or not storing it able to retrieve it or not storing it properly.properly.

Otherwise, it is Otherwise, it is alwaysalways there. there.

Short-term & Long term MemoryShort-term & Long term Memory

Short-term memory is like a loading Short-term memory is like a loading dock at HEB or Wal-Mart. The truck dock at HEB or Wal-Mart. The truck pulls in with new learning for you.pulls in with new learning for you.

You are like the fork-lift that takes You are like the fork-lift that takes the new thing off the truck and puts the new thing off the truck and puts it on the dock for a short time.it on the dock for a short time.

To keep it in long-term memory, you To keep it in long-term memory, you need to pick it up and put it in the need to pick it up and put it in the warehouse where it is stored in an warehouse where it is stored in an organized way until it is needed.organized way until it is needed.

You need to remember where you You need to remember where you put it so you can get it when you put it so you can get it when you need it.need it.

VCR3VCR3 VisualizingVisualizing: use your : use your “mind’s “mind’s

eye”eye” to see what you need to to see what you need to remember.remember.

ConcentratingConcentrating: bring your mind : bring your mind into into “focus”“focus” on it! on it!

RelatingRelating: : associateassociate it with it with something you already know.something you already know.

RepeatingRepeating: keep saying it : keep saying it over over and overand over to yourself. to yourself.

ReviewingReviewing: keep going through it : keep going through it so that it sticks in your brain.so that it sticks in your brain.

Memory Devices:Memory Devices:ways to remember…ways to remember…

General to SpecificGeneral to Specific: get the big : get the big picture and then move to the details.picture and then move to the details.

Make it MeaningfulMake it Meaningful: the more : the more important it is to you, the better you important it is to you, the better you will remember it.will remember it.

Exaggerate:Exaggerate: make it bigger or fancier make it bigger or fancier than it really is.than it really is. Nobody will forget

a Mermaid!

More memory tricks:More memory tricks:

Create associationsCreate associations: make connections or : make connections or links with things you already know.links with things you already know.

Learn it actively: Learn it actively: fight boredom while fight boredom while learning by acting out what you are learning.learning by acting out what you are learning.

Relax:Relax: the “smoother” you feel, the more the “smoother” you feel, the more information you will absorb.information you will absorb.

Create picturesCreate pictures: draw diagrams or cartoons- : draw diagrams or cartoons- be inventivebe inventive

Make your memory work for you…Make your memory work for you…

Recite and repeat:Recite and repeat: say it again and again out say it again and again out loud to send it through the ears to the brain.loud to send it through the ears to the brain.

Write it down:Write it down: a physical act with a different a physical act with a different way to the mind.way to the mind.

Short Term Memory TrapShort Term Memory Trap: the “loading dock” : the “loading dock” of the mind, review and repeat to move to of the mind, review and repeat to move to “Long Term Storage” so you can use it.“Long Term Storage” so you can use it.

Distribute LearningDistribute Learning – break it into small – break it into small pieces, don’t try to learn it all at once in one pieces, don’t try to learn it all at once in one big chunk.big chunk.

If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it!If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it!

Watch your attitudeWatch your attitude – if you think what – if you think what you’re learning is boring, you won’t you’re learning is boring, you won’t remember it.remember it.

Use combinations:Use combinations: get both sides of your get both sides of your brain involved – sing the word while you brain involved – sing the word while you read it.read it.

Remember Something Else:Remember Something Else: if you can’t if you can’t remember one thing, then think of remember one thing, then think of something close.something close.

Create a storyCreate a story:: make up a strange one to make up a strange one to memorize what you need.memorize what you need.

Mnemonic Devices Mnemonic Devices (pronounced nemonik)(pronounced nemonik)

Acronyms:Acronyms: first letter makes a word: first letter makes a word: CIA, FBI, NASA, NAFTA, IRS, GMCCIA, FBI, NASA, NAFTA, IRS, GMC

Acrostics:Acrostics: sentences to remember letterssentences to remember lettersGGeorge’s eorge’s EEldest ldest OOldest ldest GGrandfather randfather RRode ode AA PPig ig HHome ome

YYesterdayesterday Rhymes & Songs:Rhymes & Songs: do a rap song, or a jingle, like they do a rap song, or a jingle, like they

do on TV to get you to remember.do on TV to get you to remember.

Cramming at the last minute…Cramming at the last minute…

Cramming is never a good way to Cramming is never a good way to remember, but sometimes you have no remember, but sometimes you have no choice. Make it work by-choice. Make it work by-

DepressurizeDepressurize – take it easy. – take it easy. Know Know the type of test you’ll be taking.the type of test you’ll be taking. Read it quick: H2FLIBRead it quick: H2FLIB – headings, – headings,

highlight, first sentence, last sentence,highlight, first sentence, last sentence, indents and boxes.indents and boxes. Use your syllabus or study guideUse your syllabus or study guide..

Don’t forget – remember!Don’t forget – remember!

Just like anything else - the Just like anything else - the more you train and exercise more you train and exercise your mind and memory, the your mind and memory, the better it will work for you and better it will work for you and serve you.serve you.

There is no substitute for effort There is no substitute for effort and work.and work.