Has it ever happened to you that you try to remember some information that you have been mentioned or a telephone number and you cannot? Do you have trouble remembering what you read the night before to take a test?
It is really important to be able to retain information, not only when it comes to being able to remember a number but in life in general, otherwise we would walk around the world completely uneducated and with many problems for not remembering certain details.
There are many people who do not have a great memory, but this is not entirely a problem, because luckily memory can be worked on and exercised, so we are going to teach you how to memorize.
There are many ways to train your memory, but it will also depend on the type of student you are and you must also choose the method that best suits you.
Auditory memory
One of the memories that you can develop is related to hearing. In this case we are talking about a person who can remember details after having heard them, has an extensive vocabulary and well-developed, strong language skills, for example, it is easy for him to learn new languages, especially if he hears them. On the other hand, he is good at chatting and has entertaining conversations, in addition to being very good at music, being able to differentiate notes, rhythms, chords, etc.
If you are one of these types of people, then there is a method that can serve you very well to study or remember things, it is called memorizing by association. In this case, you will remember by associating a topic with something that is easy for you to remember, interesting, fun, pleasant, etc. It doesn’t even have to make sense to you, just lead you back to what you’ve memorized.
For example, some people study with the television on, and when they are asked a topic they immediately remember what they were showing on TV and from there they remember what they were just reading.
Another way to remember is through acronyms, that is, forming a word with the first letters of what we are going to remember, for example the name of hormones, or when it comes to lists of names, for example countries.
You could also make up a fictional story that takes place between different names or people you need to remember.
On the other hand, you can make a representative drawing of what you are going to study, for example of a definition by placing key and short words around it, such as verbs, nouns, etc.
Since your strong point is to remember what you hear, when you have to memorize a text it is important that you read it out loud. Give the entire text a first read, and then go reading paragraph by paragraph or idea by idea. Read that idea out loud and then try to say it all without reading. Then read this first idea or paragraph again and read the next one. Repeat the step of saying what you have read without looking at the paper. And so on, adding paragraphs or ideas little by little. If in any of the steps you do not remember any part, go back to that point to read and reinforce it.
It is important that you do not try to memorize a lot in a short time and all at once. Between key points take some rest while you can rest your mind and relax by doing something you enjoy, for example, talking to someone, going for a walk, playing with the dog, etc.
After each break try to count everything you had previously memorized. If you remember it, it is very likely that it has already been well memorized. On the other hand, if you can’t remember everything, rework the part you forgot by rereading it aloud and repeating.
Another trick is that while you are reading aloud or checking that you have memorized the text, you can move and walk around the room, so it will be easier for you to memorize.
Visual people
On the other hand, there are people who are more visual, that is, they easily remember those posters, texts or images they see.
To study or remember certain things, you will need to be in an environment where you can concentrate and not get distracted.
For you, the key to memorizing will be located in the cards, tokens and in the colors.
If you have to study a long text you can underline the most important parts with colors. So that each idea is underlined with a different color. Read the text and then to check that you have memorized it, take a blank sheet and write the texts. Then compare them and check if you have learned it.
If you have to study numbers and data, you may find it more comfortable to make cards with statistics, analysis, and number data in drawings that are easy for you to visualize and relate to.
You can help yourself with post-its or cards and place them in places that you can see easily and continuously, for example in the fridge or on a door, so that every time you go to open it you can read what is written on it.
Also, for each idea that you have underlined, you can highlight the key words of that text, so that later it is easier for you to remember the context.
It is also good that you walk or move around the room where you are so that both hemispheres of the brain work and memorizing is easier.
The reader
On the other hand there is also the person who remembers without problems what he reads. This technique is usually developed from a young age, through study techniques in which they made us read the texts and agendas over and over again.
If you are good at remembering what you read then the key lies in reading over and over again the documents or texts that you need to remember.
You can help yourself with colours, so that as you read the text, the brain relates the colors and when writing you can remember the texts by sections.
After reading and rereading, take a blank sheet and write what you remember. You can ask questions and then answer them. You could even write with the colors you underlined with, if that helps you remember. Then compare your answers and if you missed any detail, read again.
After reading for a while, take a break, so that you disconnect your head, for example, by going for a walk. Take several short and frequent breaks, so that you get the best out of your brain and memory.
You must be patient, everyone memorizes at their own pace, so it may cost you more or less than other people, but the important thing is that you manage to do it. In addition, it is possible that certain texts cost you more than others when it comes to memorizing, it also depends on personal tastes and the dedication and concentration of the moment.
If you feel tired or lack concentration, you can eat while you are studying or working, this stimulates your brain. But always some healthy and non-greasy food, such as fruit or yogurt, but not fatty foods. Also remember that energy drinks have a rebound effect, so it is better that you drink water while you study.
With these simple tips we have taught you how to memorize, so that now you will not forget what you are studying or what you must remember for other reasons, for example when you go to give a presentation at work.