Paul Laohapiengsak Tech: Memory

Paul Laohapiengsak

Tech: Memory

Memory is by far one of my weakest learning skills.  I would say most of the time, I would try to understand rather than memorizing.  This is maybe why I do better in class that required understanding.  Nonetheless, it would just be impossible to avoid classes that require lots of memorization for the reason that many introduction courses in college are memory base.  For this reason, being able to memorize well is be a big factor of how successful one will be in college career.  Currently, the classes that require the most memorization for me are PSY 205 (Introduction to Psychology) and MAT 284 (Business Calculus).  For this reason, I began using many memorization strategies from CLS 105 class to help me in studying.  The two strategies that I use are “7 Ways to remember what you need to learn” and “Link System”.

“7 Ways to remember what you need to learn” is a really useful way to memorizing because it does not only help user memorize but also understand the classes’ material.  The seven steps include 1. Select it 2. Write it 3. Recite it 4. Relate it 5. Imagine it 6. Practice it 7. Anticipate it.  Starting with my MAT 284 class, in the first step I would distinguish what the formula or concept the professor is expecting me to remember.  Therefore, I have selected the “power rule” when solving derivative.  Step 2, I would write the formula in the index card. Step 3, I would discuss the material in a study group. 

Afterward, in step 4, I would create a graphic organizer to relate how “power rule” fits in how to find derivatives.  Later on, in step 5, I would imagine it by creating how I would put the power in front of the number then decrease the original power by 1.  In step 6, I would practice it by doing practice questions that are available on the test book.  Lastly, in step 7 anticipate when doing exam or homework questions and be able to identify when is the right time to use the “power rule”.  “The 7 Ways to remember what you need to learn” works well with classes that require memorization skills such as Mathematics.  Shown below are the steps that I take in order to master the “power rule”

The link system is another great tools for memorization.  The way link system works is to link a certain word, concepts, or vocabulary to an image that looks or sounds like it.  The first step is to select the concept that needs to be memorized.  Next, one would create an image or word that can be pictured that is lookalike or sound similar to the abstract.  Lastly, on would visualize an absurd picture that relate to the images.  The link system works really well with my PSY 205 class where there are so many terms to be remembered. 

The word I need to learn is “Neurotransmitter” which has a key mechanism to bind receptor of the receiving neuron.  First, after identify that I will be trying to memorize “Neurotransmitter” I create an image, which is a “key”.  This is because it has a key like mechanism that bind to the receptor.  I would imagine an image of a key and the lock, which works similarly to how “Neurotransmitter” works.  Later on, I try to create a picture of a land filled with locks where the key would fall from the sky where the key would unlock the combo and transmit the information.  Shown below I how I master the word “Neurotransmitter” by using the link system.  Overall, I have success using the two memorizing skills.  Together with planning tools like ranking priorities and target planner, I can plan out my study and do it affectively with the memorizing methods.  I would encourage everyone to try use the combination of memorization method together with ranking priorities and target planner as they work flawlessly.