TIPS TO MEMORIZE THINGS

QUICKER THAN OTHERS

By:
Dr. Anuar Md. Zain
Senior Lecturer of Anatomy & Physiology
Faculty of Health Sciences, UniSZA Terengganu Malaysia
…INTRODUCTION…
Memorization is not the end of your
learning process, …
it is the beginning!
 ...
So, let us begin!
 No. 17
Use Scrap Paper
• Human anatomy requires you to visualize,
whereby physiology requires you to
understand → use scrap paper/book.
• Draw & label (repeatedly); never forget to
check the spelling!
 No. 16
Spaced Repetition
(Repetition & Retention)
• How to remember everything
(within short period of
time???
 REPETITION & RETENTION
(Short term memory – STM)

RIGHT AFTER LEARNING

1st Repetition (Immediate Memory)
AFTER 15 – 20 MINUTES
2nd Repetition
(Immediate Memory)
rd AFTER 6 – 8 HOURS
3 Repetition
(STM Stage 1)
th AFTER 24 HOURS
4 Repetition
(STM Stage 2)
 REPETITION & RETENTION
(Long term memory – LTM)
RIGHT AFTER LEARNING
1st Repetition (Immediate Memory)
AFTER 20 – 30 MINUTES
2nd Repetition
(STM Stage 1)
AFTER 1 DAY
3rd Repetition
(STM Stage 2)
AFTER 2 – 3 WEEKS
4th Repetition
(LTM Stage 1)
AFTER 2 – 3 MONTHS
5th Repetition
(LTM Stage 2)
 No. 15
PLAN AHEAD
• It is the most crucial part for the entire semester.
• Gather as many learning materials as you can –
source from lecturer, books, notes, seniors, go
online, etc…
• Create WhatsApp group → get everyone involve!
• Search & download any apps/software – assist
during learning process.
• Create your own daily & weekly schedule.
• Keep everything ORGANIZE!
• Stay healthy and focus.
 No. 14
Utilize the notes
• Lecture notes are meant to be used during the
lecture session, might be useful during exams!
• Get an early copy of the notes and study (even
if you don’t understand) → in that case, write
a simple note/draw mindmap, etc.
• Bring the note/learning materials during my
class, and you might getting something
different.
• Use tip No.16
 No.13
Try to Understand What You Learn
• Read the entire information, and figure out
the main point (s).
• Be active during the class, stay focus/alert!
• Using your own words; as simple as you can.
• Eg:
– Understand the learning outcomes / lesson
plan provided for every topic/system.
 No. 12
Build your own MindPlace
• Associates certain things with a certain
place / note / book / diagram.
• More like = WATCH + LEARN
• Eg: Look at your room and try to recall
that the room looks like in your memory.
15
 No. 11
Use ABBREVIATIONS or Other words
• Some medical terminology (s) or even anatomical
labels can be so confusing.
• Make your own abbreviation (s) or use other
COMMON words to remember; but please be
assure that your lecturer can understand as well!
• Eg:
– Temporamandibular joint = TMJ
– CTNCC3
– Chewing = Mastication; Swallowing = Deglutition
 No. 10
Learn the Most Necessary
Information
 FRONTAL

Coronal suture
SPHENOID

ZYGOMATIC
PARIETAL BONE
ETHMOID BONE

Temporal squama LACRIMAL BONE

Lacrimal fossa
Squamous suture
NASAL BONE
TEMPORAL BONE
Temporal process
Zygomatic process
Infraorbital foramen
Lambdoid suture MAXILLA

Mastoid portion Mandibular fossa

OCCIPITAL BONE
Articular tubercle
External occipital
protuberance MANDIBLE
External auditory
meatus

Mastoid process

Styloid process HYOID BONE

Foramen magnum

18
 FRONTAL

Coronal suture
SPHENOID

ZYGOMATIC
PARIETAL BONE
ETHMOID BONE

Temporal squama LACRIMAL BONE

Lacrimal fossa
Squamous suture
NASAL BONE
TEMPORAL BONE
Temporal process
Zygomatic process
Infraorbital foramen
Lambdoid suture MAXILLA

Mastoid portion Mandibular fossa

OCCIPITAL BONE
Articular tubercle
External occipital
protuberance MANDIBLE
External auditory
meatus

Mastoid process

Styloid process HYOID BONE

Foramen magnum

19
 No. 9
Alpha-Omega
(ie. The beginning & the end)

• Remembering the beginning

and the end of the topic /
subtopic.
 No. 8
Interference Theory

• Switching from one topic to another @

from one activity to another.
• Should rest every 15 – 20 minutes during
learning.
• Switch to something absolutely different.
• Eg: Switching to coloring or drawing
activity or play some music….
 No.7
Learn Opposite Things
• Words that are normally come in pair.
• If you forget one of them, the 2nd one will help
you to recall the information.
• Eg:
– Cephalic VS. Caudal
– Brachium VS. Antebrachium
– Carpals VS. Tarsals
– Ipsilateral VS. Contralateral
 No. 6
Use MINDMAP
 No. 5
Use Nail Words

• Nail one learn thing to another.

• Best practice together with MindMap!
• Eg: If you would like to remember the word
‘NAIL’, try to list other words that logically
connected to the word ‘NAIL’.
– Hammer
– Wood
 No. 4
Make up stories
• Best to remember a lot of
information in particular order.
• Try to put pieces into a story.
 No. 3
Use a Tape Recorder
• Record & listen – couple of times (in a day)!
• You can do it while breakfast or daily jog.
• You read the information (notes) through your
eyes; and heard it through ears.
• THE MORE CONTACT YOU HAVE WHILE
LEARNING; THE BETTER YOU MEMORIZE IT!
 No. 2
VISUALIZE

• Use your body language while

learning, this will help to trigger
your muscle memory.
• We shall demonstrate this
method in a short while!!! Be
patient!
 No. 1
Choose only the BEST MATERIAL (S)
• Don’t use outdated books @ type of
learning.
• Go online, check the most recent
information for the subject, make some
connections with colleagues from other
UAs → networking!
Do you know any
other memorizing
tips???
 Memorization is easiest if
questions are answered out
loud and also in writing.
Thinking an answer is better
than not studying at all
…Ouchh!!!
 While study, don’t try to
swallow an entire topic in one
huge gulp!
 Brain outputs to you muscles →
Eyes and ears will convert image → Maintaining good posture, move your
Nerve impulses → transmit info Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
To your brain As you read it

Heart will beat 70 times a minute →

Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Your nerves and muscles →
Will die & immediately replaced To trigger certain muscle contraction
by new ones & relaxation

When you breath, it will boost You will breath in and out
Your immune & lymphatic system!!! 12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important Your cells will consume 250 ml
Materials and remove unwanted materials Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)

Your digestive system will starts You will use about 2 calories of energy
To digest (processing) your last meal (from your food digestion) → support
→Transfer into your bloodstream Your body demand and contracting muscles
→ deliver to your cells as fuel (*burn more calories)

36
 Brain outputs to you muscles →
Eyes and ears will convert image → Maintaining good posture, move your
Nerve impulses → transmit info Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
To your brain As you read it

Heart will beat 70 times a minute →

Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Your nerves and muscles →
Will die & immediately replaced To trigger certain muscle contraction
by new ones & relaxation

When you breath, it will boost You will breath in and out
Your immune & lymphatic system!!! 12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important Your cells will consume 250 ml
Materials and remove unwanted materials Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)

Your digestive system will starts You will use about 2 calories of energy
To digest (processing) your last meal (from your food digestion) → support
→Transfer into your bloodstream Your body demand and contracting muscles
→ deliver to your cells as fuel (*burn more calories)

37
 Brain outputs to you muscles →
Eyes and ears will convert image → Maintaining good posture, move your
Nerve impulses → transmit info Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
To your brain As you read it

Heart will beat 70 times a minute →

Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Your nerves and muscles →
Will die & immediately replaced To trigger certain muscle contraction
by new ones & relaxation

When you breath, it will boost You will breath in and out
Your immune & lymphatic system!!! 12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important Your cells will consume 250 ml
Materials and remove unwanted materials Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)

Your digestive system will starts You will use about 2 calories of energy
To digest (processing) your last meal (from your food digestion) → support
→Transfer into your bloodstream Your body demand and contracting muscles
→ deliver to your cells as fuel (*burn more calories)

38
 Brain outputs to you muscles →
Eyes and ears will convert image → Maintaining good posture, move your
Nerve impulses → transmit info Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
To your brain As you read it

Heart will beat 70 times a minute →

Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Your nerves and muscles →
Will die & immediately replaced To trigger certain muscle contraction
by new ones & relaxation

When you breath, it will boost You will breath in and out
Your immune & lymphatic system!!! 12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important Your cells will consume 250 ml
Materials and remove unwanted materials Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)

Your digestive system will starts You will use about 2 calories of energy
To digest (processing) your last meal (from your food digestion) → support
→Transfer into your bloodstream Your body demand and contracting muscles
→ deliver to your cells as fuel (*burn more calories)

39
 Brain outputs to you muscles →
Eyes and ears will convert image → Maintaining good posture, move your
Nerve impulses → transmit info Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
To your brain As you read it

Heart will beat 70 times a minute →

Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Your nerves and muscles →
Will die & immediately replaced To trigger certain muscle contraction
by new ones & relaxation

When you breath, it will boost You will breath in and out
Your immune & lymphatic system!!! 12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important Your cells will consume 250 ml
Materials and remove unwanted materials Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)

Your digestive system will starts You will use about 2 calories of energy
To digest (processing) your last meal (from your food digestion) → support
→Transfer into your bloodstream Your body demand and contracting muscles
→ deliver to your cells as fuel (*burn more calories)

40
 Brain outputs to you muscles →
Eyes and ears will convert image → Maintaining good posture, move your
Nerve impulses → transmit info Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
To your brain As you read it

Heart will beat 70 times a minute →

Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Your nerves and muscles →
Will die & immediately replaced To trigger certain muscle contraction
by new ones & relaxation

When you breath, it will boost You will breath in and out
Your immune & lymphatic system!!! 12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important Your cells will consume 250 ml
Materials and remove unwanted materials Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)

Your digestive system will starts You will use about 2 calories of energy
To digest (processing) your last meal (from your food digestion) → support
→Transfer into your bloodstream Your body demand and contracting muscles
→ deliver to your cells as fuel (*burn more calories)

41
 Brain outputs to you muscles →
Eyes and ears will convert image → Maintaining good posture, move your
Nerve impulses → transmit info Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
To your brain As you read it

Heart will beat 70 times a minute →

Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Your nerves and muscles →
Will die & immediately replaced To trigger certain muscle contraction
by new ones & relaxation

When you breath, it will boost You will breath in and out
Your immune & lymphatic system!!! 12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important Your cells will consume 250 ml
Materials and remove unwanted materials Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)

Your digestive system will starts You will use about 2 calories of energy
To digest (processing) your last meal (from your food digestion) → support
→Transfer into your bloodstream Your body demand and contracting muscles
→ deliver to your cells as fuel (*burn more calories)

42
 Brain outputs to you muscles →
Eyes and ears will convert image → Maintaining good posture, move your
Nerve impulses → transmit info Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
To your brain As you read it

Heart will beat 70 times a minute →

Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Your nerves and muscles →
Will die & immediately replaced To trigger certain muscle contraction
by new ones & relaxation

When you breath, it will boost You will breath in and out
Your immune & lymphatic system!!! 12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important Your cells will consume 250 ml
Materials and remove unwanted materials Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)

Your digestive system will starts You will use about 2 calories of energy
To digest (processing) your last meal (from your food digestion) → support
→Transfer into your bloodstream Your body demand and contracting muscles
→ deliver to your cells as fuel (*burn more calories)

43
 Brain outputs to you muscles →
Eyes and ears will convert image → Maintaining good posture, move your
Nerve impulses → transmit info Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
To your brain As you read it

Heart will beat 70 times a minute →

Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Your nerves and muscles →
Will die & immediately replaced To trigger certain muscle contraction
by new ones & relaxation

When you breath, it will boost You will breath in and out
Your immune & lymphatic system!!! 12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important Your cells will consume 250 ml
Materials and remove unwanted materials Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)

Your digestive system will starts You will use about 2 calories of energy
To digest (processing) your last meal (from your food digestion) → support
→Transfer into your bloodstream Your body demand and contracting muscles
→ deliver to your cells as fuel (*burn more calories)

44
 Brain outputs to you muscles →
Eyes and ears will convert image → Maintaining good posture, move your
Nerve impulses → transmit info Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
To your brain As you read it

Heart will beat 70 times a minute →

Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Your nerves and muscles →
Will die & immediately replaced To trigger certain muscle contraction
by new ones & relaxation

When you breath, it will boost You will breath in and out
Your immune & lymphatic system!!! 12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important Your cells will consume 250 ml
Materials and remove unwanted materials Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)

Your digestive system will starts You will use about 2 calories of energy
To digest (processing) your last meal (from your food digestion) → support
→Transfer into your bloodstream Your body demand and contracting muscles
→ deliver to your cells as fuel (*burn more calories)

45
 Brain outputs to you muscles →
Eyes and ears will convert image → Maintaining good posture, move your
Nerve impulses → transmit info Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
To your brain As you read it

Heart will beat 70 times a minute →

Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Your nerves and muscles →
Will die & immediately replaced To trigger certain muscle contraction
by new ones & relaxation

When you breath, it will boost You will breath in and out
Your immune & lymphatic system!!! 12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important Your cells will consume 250 ml
Materials and remove unwanted materials Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)

Your digestive system will starts You will use about 2 calories of energy
To digest (processing) your last meal (from your food digestion) → support
→Transfer into your bloodstream Your body demand and contracting muscles
→ deliver to your cells as fuel (*burn more calories)

46
 Brain outputs to you muscles →
Eyes and ears will convert image → Maintaining good posture, move your
Nerve impulses → transmit info Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
To your brain As you read it

Heart will beat 70 times a minute →

Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Your nerves and muscles →
Will die & immediately replaced To trigger certain muscle contraction
by new ones & relaxation

When you breath, it will boost You will breath in and out
Your immune & lymphatic system!!! 12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important Your cells will consume 250 ml
Materials and remove unwanted materials Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)

Your digestive system will starts You will use about 2 calories of energy
To digest (processing) your last meal (from your food digestion) → support
→Transfer into your bloodstream Your body demand and contracting muscles
→ deliver to your cells as fuel (*burn more calories)

47
Use review (past’s year) questions
to study
…Use 4 – 5 question at a time!
Hide the answers & don’t do it in
your head…Use scrap paper!
 Once you’ve mastered 4-5
questions, don’t simply rush to
newer material → CONSOLIDATE
the older material by going back
and review the questions
(Important for your LTM)
REVIEW
REVIEW
REVIEW
REVIEW
REVIEW
Once you know the entire set, you
will be surprised at how quickly you
can review it
…Don’t put it aside completely!
Spend an hour or so, each week
reviewing topics you’ve
mastered.
 Always remember...
Memorization is not the end of your
learning process, it is the beginning!
Once you’ve remembered, now
it is time for you to use it and
apply it!
Don’t forget to take a
nap or sleep