What Is The Best Way To Memorize: Tips For Retaining Information

By: J Wall
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:41:50
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What is the best way to memorize? We could all use better recall so here are some basic tips on how you might improve that part of your brain.

After doing some research on what is the best way to memorize, I found some common elements among what experts recommended. Much of what is given is common sense and is something you probably do without thinking, but other ideas may be new to you. Either way many of these tips can make your ability to recall better.

The first tip on how to memorize is repetition. This is one that is used by most people and one that experts on memory continue to recommend as the cornerstone of your recall. It is most often the case that if we repeat something, be it a phone number or a song, the more likely we are to remember it. Repetition helps the brain to form a stronger connection related to that piece of information. It also helps setup that piece of information for storage into long term memory from short term.

Another tip on how to memorize information is to keep in mind that people can only hold an average of 5 to 9 pieces of information in their short term memory at a time. Since most of what we process into memory has to start here it is helpful to concentrate on only a few pieces of data. For example, if you have to memorize a list of 15 items, start with the first 5. Repeat those items until you have them memorized and can repeat them without looking. Then do another group. Repeat both groups until you have them committed to memory. Keep going until the list is in your mind then repeat the list.

Experts also suggest a slightly different take on this tip on how to memorize information and that is break up the data into clusters. Each cluster then becomes one "piece" of data. Using a telephone number as an example, you could try to memorize all 10 digits individually or you can break up the number into larger numbers...so 553-667-8483 becomes 55, 36, 67, 84 and 83. It is sometimes more helpful to remember a smaller grouping of larger numbers than a larger set of single numbers. This goes with data other than numbers, try organizing the information into clusters that make sense and reduce the total number of individual data pieces you are trying to memorize.

But does this work for something more complex? What is the best way to memorize something like a speech for instance? Well, obviously repetition is still helpful. The more you practice your speech the more likely you will be able to give it without having to constantly read your notes. However, another technique that might help is to take the clustering idea and group parts of your speech or at least key ideas in each section and then attempt to associate them with something familiar.

The trick to this is making sure you associate with something that is easy for you to remember. It doesn't help if the association is also something that you have trouble recalling as well. Then as you go through your speech you think about each association and the idea that goes with it as you work through the topic.

While not specifically a tip for what is the best way to memorize, it is important to deal with secondary factors that may impact your ability to memorize. It is critical that when you are trying to memorize that you do so in an environment that is free from distraction, that you are getting good rest and that you eat well. These factors all impact the way our brains work and the quality of how it works. If you are really gung ho about your memory and mental function then you can also look into herbal supplements like Ginkgo and Ginseng that help improve mental function, concentration and memory. While not a huge mystery is it good to revisit these ideas on improving memory retention. Many of us tend to forget that there are ways to increase our mental ability with simple techniques and less frustration.

Article source: Expert Articles