How to Remember Info When Studying for A Test

The topic for Our blog this week is memory. Memory is a very crucial aspect of human life. After all the memories of events and everyday life are what you are remembered by after you pass away. Memories in a way create the story of your life. In academic terms memorizing and remembering the material you learn in your classes is part of how you achieve good grades. Whether it's junior high, or college memorizing and remembering the material you have learned is a crucial aspect in school. Depending on the individual students/persons learning style, there are different ways to memorize/remember events, homework, class materials, etc. For example I am a predominately kinesthetic learner so one of my preferred methods to remember and memorize class material is note cards. However someone who is a different type of learner might have a different method that would work for them.

There are seven different memory strategies in all. The first is select it, This strategy forces you to select what you need to learn. It challenges you to make wise choices on what to and to not memorize. Be able to have an idea of what your professor will expect you to remember (know the significant from the less significant material). Know key words or information from your notes, textbook, etc. Index cards, written summaries, graphic organizers, and taped summaries are all examples of selective learning.
Here is a visual example of selective learning (in this case a note card):

The second type of memory strategy is to write it. This is simply to write down the information you are required to know based on class/lectures or writing a summary of what you read. An example of this is note cards (because they require t re-write the info and then re-read the info so it applies to more than one strategy), or simply notes from class.

The third type of learning strategy is to recite it. This simply means to re-read or discuss the material you have learn or are supposed to learn. Once again an example of this is index cards (look at type 2 memory strategy for reason why), as well as reading your notes out loud.

The fourth type of memory strategy is to relate it. Simply think about how the new information you are learning relates to what you already know about the topic. Another way to do this is to use a personal experience that can relate to the information. Even creating an acronym that will help you remember the information is a good way to study.

The fifth type of memory strategy is to imagine it. Use your imagination to mentally visualize the material. Turning words into concrete images helps you retain them.

The sixth type of memory strategy is to practice it. This means simply review the information you need to know in whatever way works for you the best. this could be index cards, reading out loud, writing definitions down, or even just re-reading your notes.

The seventh and final learning strategy is to anticipate it. All this means is to simply try to guess before you look at the info. So for instance if your taking a practice exam and you anticipate the answer before looking at the correct answer it will help you memorize the material.

Every student memorizes in a different way. Using one of these seven strategies however, will help you retain the information in a more time efficient and easier way. It will also help you because you will be incredibly prepared for your exams and confident that you will do well on them.