Having a good memory and being able to recall information easily is something that is especially desired by students when heading into exam season. However, it’s often easier to just wish to have a better memory, when in fact there are some simple strategies that can be used to help achieve this goal. Not only will these tips help improve memory, but also increase the ability to recall information – something that will be sure to benefit a student’s academic performance and make revision a breeze!
Read Information Aloud To Someone
Reading aloud is a simple but effective technique. Research has even shown that reading materials aloud significantly improves the memory of it, especially if it’s being read to someone else. In fact, the simple act of repeating something to another person means we are getting involved by physically producing the words, which helps greatly when trying to remember it, more so than if you just repeated it to yourself. It’s also been found that students who teach new concepts to others enhance their understanding and recall.
Repetition
Even though this may seem obvious, repetition is an extremely effective way of recalling information. Intentionally repeating something over and over again, even though monotonous, will help the information become encoded beyond your short-term memory.
Mnemonic Devices
A mnemonic is simply a technique students can use to help remember information. For example, you might associate a term or date you need to remember with a common item you’re familiar with. Alternatively, mnemonic devices such as songs and rhymes can help automatically recall information when needed, ideal for exam scenarios – just remember to say the rhyme in your head!
Focus
Attention is one of the most important components of memory and recall. For information to move from the short-term memory into the long-term memory, students need to actively attend to what they’re learning, rather than just passively reading over it. Focusing attention and studying in a place free of distractions is a great place to start. This way the information can actually be absorbed properly, rather than it being skimmed over and not being understood properly.
Get Some Sleep
Sleep is extremely important when it comes to improving memory and learning. In fact, this study found that sleeping after learning something new actually leads to physical changes in the brain. That’s why it’s so important for students to get the recommended 8 hours sleep every night, especially when it comes to exam season.
