MEMORISE
1)
Visualization
The idea here is that you want to put abstract
information into a picture. If you are struggling to understand a concept,
visualization is a good technique to start with.
2) Rote Memorization
I’m not a huge fan of this method, but sometimes brute
force is required. Rote memorization involves pounding information into your
brain by repeating it continually. Works best when the information is arbitrary
and fact-based, so applications won’t go beyond simple memory.
3)
Diagram
Draw it out. I love using diagrams for sorting large
pieces of information. When I used to write my thesis, my desktop would have
pieces of paper with hastily scratched diagrams. I consider creating a flow
chart of activities to reach my version of visualization.
4)
Fluid Notes
Most people take notes in a linear fashion, writing one
statement after the next. Fluid notes may look less organized, but involves you
drawing connections between ideas and writing in all directions across the
page. Remember the point of note taking is to encourage learning, not just
record what was said.
5)
Relationship Diagrams
Diagrams that focus on the relationship between
information are a great tool. Instead of just displaying information, show how
it links together. Combined with fluid note taking, this is a great way to
piece all the information together
6)
Link Method
This is an advanced memory technique. I’ve found it works
surprisingly well, but it takes longer to set up and requires practice if you
want to do it quickly. The basic idea is that you link two ideas together by
forming a bizarre picture that involves both of them. If I wanted to memorize a
grocery list that had apples, milk, bread loaf my goal would be to create two
images that linked apples to milk and milk to bread loaf. The first could be a
picture of a giant apple milking a cow. The second could be milk dropping on a
bread loaf.
7)
Imaginary Room Method
A reader sent me this one and it builds on the link
technique. Imagine a room you are familiar with. Now visualize all the major
objects in this room. The next step is to individually link specific
information or details to each object in your room. Another variation on this
technique uses your body instead of a room. I suppose it depends on whether you
are more visual or visceral in your learning style.
8)
Retracing
Technique that works well with holistic learning is
retracing. Basically this involves you starting with one concept in your class.
From that you find a relationship between that idea and another idea. You
continue doing this path until you get back where you started or reach a dead
end.
9)
Zoom and Check
Skim through any material you have to learn. Your goal
isn’t to learn the information but to notice what you don’t already know. If
more than one or two ideas pop out in a chapter, you should probably stop and
go back.
10) Self-Test
Give yourself a test. Testing is a good way to see if you
know what you are doing, so try it out.
11) Mind
storming
Consider this individual brainstorming. Write down all
the ideas, thoughts and information you can think of. A brain dump to get it
all out on paper
12) Brainstorming
Get a couple people in a room and think it out. I find
one or two other people to be ideal, although some experts recommend up to six.
13) Give
it a Hand
Use your fingers and thumbs as a memory tool. Link
different words or names to specific fingers and memorize which go where. There
are limits to this application, but it can be useful if a good acronym doesn’t
come immediately.
14) The
Kindergarten Rule
Similar to teaching, the kindergarten rule proclaims that
you should be able to explain your subject to a six year old. While this isn’t
going to work for your advanced level calculus or biochemical courses, the idea
is that you should dumb down the information so it becomes obvious.
15) Make
it Interesting
Sounds obvious, doesn’t it? You’ll remember information
you find more satisfying to know. Find ways you can use the information beyond
just getting a grade and it will become more real to you.
16) Teach
It
Find someone and explain it to them. Nothing forces you
to learn better than teaching.
17) Song
or Story
Another memorizing technique, this one links information
together by placing it in a sequence of a song or a story. You could list all
the bones in your hand by creating a story in which you meet each of them in
sequence.
18) Chunking
Learn for fifteen minutes at a time. Take frequent breaks
and let your mind absorb what was learned. I never do creative or learning work
for more than an hour or two without a change in pace.
19) Pop
Quiz
My grandfather used this to teach my multiplication table
when I was little. At random points during the day he would say something like,
“Quick! What’s 8×12?”. This method might require an understanding friend
or a complex computer program, but it can force you to remember information in
any situation.
20) Give
it Form
Don’t let an idea sit as an abstraction in your head.
Give it a shape, form, color and meaning. Use your hands to describe it as a
potter would sculpt a bowl on a potter’s wheel.
21) Complete
Focus
Occasionally I’ll see people “studying” while listening
to music or watching television. Although they may have a gift in multitasking
I wasn’t born with, I think it is more likely that they are fooling themselves.
Turn off all the distractions and focus completely or don’t focus at all.
22) Ask
Why
Ever sat next to one of those annoying kids that asked
“Why?” to everything you said? Maybe it’s time you became that annoying kid and
started asking why to more of the information you are supposed to learn. When
information forms a logical pattern it becomes far easier to remember.
23) Find
Your Peak Mental Hours
Everyone has different creative peaks. Mine tend to be
late evenings to early mornings. When I try to work late in the afternoon I’m
restless. When I try to work early in the morning my mind is usually too fuzzy
to think. Find your peak mental hours so studying works for you.
24) Exercise
Healthy body, healthy mind. I’ve found the stereotype of
the dumb jock to be fairly inaccurate. Usually the people who keep fit are able
to stay sharper mentally.
25) Burn
Off Stress
Party, mediate, socialize, whatever you need to do to
relax. Being in a depressed state won’t help your studies, so have fun and find
a balance. Then again, hangovers aren’t the best way to write an exam so know
where to draw the line.
26) Create
Learning and creating are, in essence, the same activity.
Don’t let learning become a passive activity where you try to absorb information.
Instead create information. Form your own relationships, descriptions and
examples.
Get personalized instructions that match up with your
learning style. Don’t force a square peg into a circular hole if you don’t have
to.
28) Know
Thy Weaknesses
Did you get a bad mark on that last test. Why? Was it
just a lack of preparation? Did you not remember the information, or did you
have trouble applying it? Figure out your weaknesses so you can develop tools
(or use these) to work around them.
29) Organize
I must admit that organization has always been a struggle
for me. I’m far more inclined towards total environmental chaos and lost files
than robotic storage. But I have found that working on my organizational skills
allows me more mental room to learn. Ordered environment, ordered mind.
30) Create
a Learning Ritual
I can’t think of article ideas if I’m not sitting in my
chair. If I try going for a walk or sitting somewhere else, my mind doesn’t
focus. I’ve developed a ritual for writing posts that makes it difficult to do
anything else. The advantage is that when I go through this ritual, I can think
of ideas fairly quickly. Creating a learning ritual where you study or read in
the same place can create a similar advantage.
I’m incredibly relaxed when I’m about to write tests. I’m
rarely nervous, but I have a degree of tension that keeps me focused. If you
get too nervous during performance situations, try breathing and meditation
exercises to slow yourself down.
32) Eat
Light
Digestion uses a large amount of energy in your body. By
eating light before studying or a test you can ensure you don’t feel groggy.
33) Sleep
Sleep has been shown to impact memory. Take time to rest
yourself and get enough sleep so that you can remember what you have learned.
34) Write
it down
Writing is one of
the best ways to learn. I use it for problem solving, brainstorming and working
out ideas. Thinking is a rather inefficient process where distractions easily
push you onto a tangent. By writing things down you can record your position
and think more clearly.
35) Grades
are Just Letters
My final suggestion is to stop thinking about classes in
terms of grades and degrees. Think of school as just one facet of the larger
self-education in your life. Find reasons to learn information for its own
sake, instead of just to pass the class. While this may sound obvious, I
believe it is the most important tip on this list and the one few people
actually use. Study to learn, not just to pass.
No comments:
Post a Comment