Students, listen up. Are you tired of spending hours desperately trying to memorize the notes the day before a test just to come up blank? If so, you’re not alone. In this blog post, we will cover 3 fun memorization strategies that will not only save you time but also help you ace your next test. So without further ado, let’s get right into it (before you end up looking like this kid).
1. Visualization, Visualization, Visualization
The first and probably most powerful method of memorization is visualization. Ever heard of the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? Well, when it comes to memorization, this is absolutely true.
Visualization works by creating mental images to help you remember information. Because I’m a chemistry nerd, let’s demonstrate visualization in action with some examples from chemistry.
Example 1: Remembering the Periodic Table
Ah, the dreaded periodic table. It’s a maze of elements, each with its own atomic number and symbol. But with visualization, you can conquer it like a pro.
Take hydrogen, for instance. Imagine a tiny hot air balloon with an “H” written on it, floating high in the sky. For helium, picture a party balloon, floating right beside the hydrogen balloon.
As you go down the periodic table, create quirky mental images for each element, and you’ll find it much easier to remember their order and properties.
Example 2: Unit Conversions
Unit conversions in chemistry can be especially tricky because there are so many different conversion factors and units to keep track of. However, I will share a personal example of what I like to use to make this process much easier.
Let’s say I wanted to convert grams of Helium to moles. But I have a problem. I forgot whether I should multiply or divide this number by Helium’s molar mass to get the number of moles I want.
To solve this problem, I create a visualization.
In my mental image, grams live above ground and moles live below ground, like they do in real life. If I want to go underground, I must divide and if I want to go back to the surface, I must multiply. Simple.
And just like that, I never have to forget again.
2. Chunking
The second method of memorization is chunking. Chunking is a handy technique that involves breaking down information into smaller, manageable chunks. It’s like taking a big, daunting task and turning it into bite-sized pieces.
The most common example of chunking in real life is in phone numbers. By breaking a long list of numbers into smaller chunks, it becomes much easier to memorize. If you ever wondered, that’s why it is so much easier to remember 512–942–2039 than the number 5129422039.
Let’s demonstrate this in action with a couple examples.
Example 1: History Dates
History dates can be tiresome to memorize because there are so many and they all have some important event.
Next time, instead of trying to remember each date individually, group them by decade or by events. For example, you can chunk together the 1930s and focus on the significant events within that time frame or you can chunk together every event involving Abraham Lincoln.
This way, you’re tackling a series of smaller challenges, making it much easier to recall the information during your history test.
Example 2: Long Numbers
Remembering long numbers, like phone numbers or mathematical constants, can be a real challenge. But with chunking, you can make it easier. Break down the number into smaller groups.
For instance, take the number Pi (3.14159265359). Instead of trying to remember it all at once, break it into chunks like “3.14,” “15,” “92,” and so on. Each chunk becomes a mini-mnemonic, making it simpler to recall the entire number.
It’s like putting together a puzzle; one piece at a time.
3. Recitation
I’ve saved my favorite method for last because this is the one I personally use the most. Recitation is one of the easiest and fastest ways to remember almost anything you can imagine.
Recitation can be explained in a four step process, which is as follows.
- Understand the Material: Before you start reciting, make sure you have a solid grasp of the material you want to memorize. Read through the text or notes carefully and ensure you understand the key concepts and details.
- Break it Down: Divide the material into manageable sections or chunks. This step is crucial, especially if you’re dealing with a large amount of information. By breaking it down, you make the memorization process more manageable.
- Repeat Aloud: Read a section or a small portion of the material and then close the book or look away from your notes. Try to recite what you’ve just read from memory. Don’t worry if you make mistakes; the goal is to reinforce your memory through repetition.
- Review and Refine: After you’ve recited a section, review the material to see if you missed anything or made errors. Correct any mistakes and repeat the recitation process for that section until you can confidently recite it without errors. Then, move on to the next section and repeat the process.
Let’s see this in action with an example.
Example: Studying Spanish
Let’s say you’re trying to remember a list of twenty brand new Spanish words. Instead of staring at them for hours until you feel like banging your head against the wall, try to use recitation.
Start by breaking down the list of twenty into groups of five so that it is much more manageable. Then, close your eyes and try to say as many words as you can remember along with their meanings.
Keep repeating this process, each time going back to the list until you can recall all five words without mistake, and then move on to the next group of five.
And just like that, twenty brand new words becomes a piece of cake.
Bonus Tips!
Before we wrap things up, here are some bonus tips to supercharge your memorization skills:
Stay Organized: Keep your study materials neat and tidy. A cluttered desk can lead to a cluttered mind.
Use Flashcards: Write down key terms or questions on one side of a flashcard and the answers on the other. Quiz yourself until you’ve got them all down pat.
Teach Someone Else: Teaching a friend or family member what you’ve learned is a great way to reinforce your own knowledge.
Take Breaks: Don’t cram! Short, frequent study sessions are more effective than marathon sessions. Your brain needs time to digest and store information.
Get Plenty of Sleep: Your brain does its best work when it’s well-rested, so make sure you’re getting enough sleep, especially before big tests.
Final Words
Memorization doesn’t have to be a drag. With the right techniques and a positive attitude, you can conquer even the toughest subjects.
So, go ahead, try out these methods, and impress your classmates and teachers with your newfound memory prowess.
Remember, learning can be fun, and these techniques will make the journey a whole lot smoother. Good luck with your studies, and here’s to acing those exams!
