EFFECTIVE

MEMORIZATION
TECHNIQUES
 Why is this Important?
 Memory is like a muscle - the more it is used, the better it gets!

 Learning effective memorizing strategies can help improve

your efficiency with a variety of tasks, including:
 Studying for a Test
 Memorizing Lines
 Memorizing a Speech
 Remembering names, phone numbers, passwords,
zip codes, recipes, complicated procedures, etc.
 …The possibilities are endless!
Using Your Whole Mind to Remember

 Mnemonics are methods for

remembering information that is
otherwise difficult to recall.
 Effective memorization begins with
using as many of the best functions of
the human brain as possible to code
information. This includes:
 Images, color, structure, sounds, smells, tastes,
touch, spatial awareness, emotion, and language.
 Additionally, symbols (red traffic lights, pointing
fingers, road signs, etc.) can code quite complex
messages quickly and effectively.
Create Associations
 Memory is a network of neurons. The brain learns by associating new
information with existing information. It adds new networks to existing
networks of neurons.

 What does this mean?

 Linking the information to familiar ideas, personal experiences, or
physical senses is the most powerful means of memorization.

 A similarly beneficial technique is linking together the information you

wish to memorize.
 For Example: If you are trying to remember items on a grocery list,
such as corn, bananas, potatoes, and milk, associate the items
together in a visualization.
 Use your imagination! Funny or peculiar things are easier to
remember than normal ones.
 Example: “Cornanasilk” = Corn, Bananas, Milk
Use Repetition…Use Repetition

 Repetition is one of the most basic learning techniques.

Infants use it to learn to speak. Athletes use it to perfect
athletic skills.
 Repetition helps the brain to form a stronger connection
related to that piece of information.
 People can only hold an average of 5-9 pieces of information
in their short term memory at a time, therefore concentrating
on only a few pieces of data at a time is important.
 Repetition Tips
 Make flashcards
 Re-read material out loud
 Break data into clusters
 Write lecture summaries
Create an Acronym or Acrostic
 Use each first letter from a group of words to form a new
word.
 Each of the letters in the word is meant to trigger your
memory to help you remember an item.
 This is particularly useful when remembering words in a
specified order.
 Remember the acrostic for the order of operations in math?
“Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” tells students that the
proper order for performing math functions is:
Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition
and Subtraction.
 ROY G. BIV tells us the order of the colors of the
rainbow.
 Other examples include: NBA (National Basketball
Associations), SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater
Breathing Apparatus), BTUs (British Thermal Units)
Acronym and Acrostic Cont.
 Steps to creating useful acronyms and acrostics:
 Decide what portions of the content need to be
memorized and if there are logical groupings for this
content.
 Create a sentence/word that has a rhythm and that makes
sense.
 Use a word or symbol that is relevant to the overall
subject matter.

 Examples:
Make a Rhyme or a Song
 Rhythm, melody, and rhyme can all aid memory
 Many ancient Greek stories were told by storytellers
who would rely solely on their memories. The use of
rhyme, rhythm, and repetition helped the storytellers
remember them.
 You can use the same techniques to better
remember information from courses. For example,
even the simple addition of familiar rhythm and
melody can help. Do you remember learning the
alphabet? Many children learn the letters of the
alphabet to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little
Star.“
 Using these techniques can be fun, particularly for
people who like to create. Rhymes and songs draw on
your auditory memory and may be particularly useful
for those who can learn tunes, songs, or poems easily.
 Use Your Study Time Wisely
 Develop and plan for blocks of study
time in a typical week
 Decide when you are most productive. Are you a
morning person or a night owl?

 Dedicate a space for study

 Determine a place free from distraction (people,
noise, your cell phone, etc.) where you can maximize
your concentration. Have a back-up space that you
can escape to.

 Take breaks
 Some difficult materials may require more frequent
breaks.
 Take time to relax or otherwise refresh or re-energize
yourself.
 Have a snack.
Study Skills Cont.
 Weekly reviews
 Each week, dedicate a day and time to review.
 Don’t procrastinate! Learning information takes time, so plan ahead.

 Prioritize your assignments

 When studying, get in the habit of beginning with the most difficult
subject or task. You’ll be fresh, and have more energy to take them
on when you are at your best.

 Get rest
 Rest is one of the most important factors that impacts the way the
brain works and the quality of how it works. The body needs 7-8
hours of sleep per day.
 Power naps are effective in refreshing the mind.
Have a Positive Mental Attitude

 Set yourself up to be successful.

 If you can see progress in your learning,

you are more likely to stick with it.

 Do your studying when you are at your

mental best.

 Have confidence in yourself; know that

you can accomplish the goals you set.