Introduction
In this tutorial, you will learn that
there are two types of memorization
and you will be given some
suggestions on how to memorize
better in both types.
Which type you need
Some subject content requires you to
memorize a lot of details but some requires you
only to memorize the general concepts but to
understand how the concepts are interrelated
instead. You have to think beforehand what is
actually needed because it represents very
different learning approaches and strategies.
Less memorizing but more understanding
In most learning situations, you are not required to remember the
identical words by which something is expressed. You need to
remember ideas and concepts and how they are related with each
other.
For this general type of memory tasks, the following advice should help.
•
Most importantly, memory can be improved by constant revision of
the study material.
•
A true understanding of the material, so that you see how the newly
acquired knowledge is related to the existing knowledge in your mind
also makes the learning long-term.
•
Discussing the subject matter with friends is another way to help
memory.
Less memorizing but more understanding
•Some like the idea of teaching things newly acquired to their
friends to consolidate learning.
•Use flow charts, interesting diagrams, and tables that sketch
the relationships of the concepts and ideas you have learned.
By working on the information and by looking at them in a
visualized format help consolidate learning.
•Keeping a good and fit body state also helps memory. That
means you should pay attention to your diet, sleep well and do
appropriate amount of exercise.
•Lastly, studying in your most productive hours and in stressfree atmosphere also helps memory.
Memorizing details
In the not so common cases where you are required
to remember the exact wordings of, for example, a
term definition or a quote, you should highlight or write
on separate pieces of paper the things that require
your verbatim memorization and revise them regularly.
Mnemonic devices
In cases where you are required to remember
formulae, or lists of numbers, names, and words that
seem to be unrelated with each others, some small
memorization techniques, or called mnemonic devices,
can help.
Another mnemonic device is to pick the first letter of
each term to form acronyms.
Mnemonic devices
Example:
How would you form an acronym out of ““Multiply and
Divide before you Add and Subtract”?
Use MDAS to stand for “Multiply and Divide before
you Add and Subtract”; and if that is not easy enough
for you, use MDAS to rewrite a meaningful sentence
like “My Dear Aunt Sally” to help memory.
You will also find remember easier if you can
visualize some relationship among the items. It is
because we have a stronger memory for images,
stories, and meaningful relationships than for a group
of unrelated things.
Mnemonic devices
Example:
Think of a way to remember the parts of the ear in the
sequence “ear drum”, “hammer”, “anvil, “stirrup”, “oval
window”, “cochlea”, and “auditory nerve”. Use the
visualizing method.
You can picture yourself in a story about same
strange things you met one day:
You stepped on a drum (ear drum) the first thing in the
morning when you left home and then you were nearly
hit by a falling hammer (hammer). Then, you saw an
ant (anvil) caught on a drop of syrup (stirrup) and you
also saw that behind an oval window (oval window)
there sat a cock (cochlea). You found a cable on the
floor and picked it up. You heard sounds coming out
from it (auditory nerve).
Summary
In this tutorial, you have learnt that not everything in a
course require memorization. Very often,
understanding is needed.
You have also learnt some ways to enhance memory
of board concepts and understanding, and some ways
to help memorizing the details.