How to improve my memory?

Question

I have had problems in remembering information. I have listed that I and many people commonly face. I have tried pneumonics and mindmapping.

1. I have a very bad retention. For example if people are talking about some everyday event. I fail to recall it. Once they talk about it I can identify it but I were asked to explain that event, I wouldnt have been able to recall as many details.
2. I also dont seem to remember well what I have read. So I often have to learn parts of the text.
3. I forget information learnt a few days back. And I have to revise more than other people in order to retain that information. I have seen people who easily remember what was talked about or done in class a few weeks back even without revising but I cant do so.
4. Losing track when reading a long article. If someone asks me what I read, I am quite blank and can only offer a one line answer.
5. When studying a lot of concepts, forgetting a lot of them e.g retroactive interference.

Answer 1

First and foremost you need to see your doctor. They may be able to run some test to figure out why you are having this problem.

Second, supplements help...as was said before Ginkgo works and St Johns wart.

Third think about the meds you are taking. Are you taking sleeping pills ? I know that Amben does cause memory loss. Other drugs may as well.

Forth, Play mind games. Sudouku is a great mind game that improves your iq and memory. Most puzzles will help. When you meet someone and they tell you there name...make sure you listen and them make up a rhyme or think of someone you know or character from a book or story. Then say it ten times in your head while picturing them as you walk away.

I hope this helps you.! Blessings to you

Answer 2

Well, i find rebeccalynn dj's answer is a good one.

Even if "see your doctor" is an advice i don't usually give in these cases, your description looks quite unusual, so, even if it don't seems you need to panic about it, go to see him.

Brain must be trained in order to "increase" memory, since our brain stops growing when we're young, and after a certain age (i guess about 10 but i could mistake) it starts a slow "declining"; so training is the only way to oppose this process.
Mind games are good & pleasant ways to train... but don't worry if the first times it looks hard, the more you go on the quicker you'll be resolving them.

Don't take pills without you doctor's opinion; i guess the ones someone suggests are remedies against problems like stress or weariness. (but i'm not a doctor too).

It's true that any psychotropic drug or medicine might have bad effects on memory, expecially if used for long periods.

I must also tell you that even if my memory works quite well, i often can't remember people's names (even when i know very nice girls, and that's not good).
So i repeat don't panic about this problem, sometimes it's lack of concentration, or difficulty in focousing subjects, and in both cases it's a matter of method, often, and sometimes it might be just that you don't care very much about the topic.

I explain with a couple of tricks that may help you.
1- when you read something, read it aloud, or maybe the first time just with eyes, the second reading aloud, like if you're talking to yourself. That is to read on as long as you have understood what you are saying.

After reading try to repeat, to explain what you've just read. It would be better if one of your classmates helps you while repeating(like he was the teacher), and of course he must be one of the best, so it won't be a waste of time for both.

2- Write the scheme of everything you study, but don't copy from the book, else it will be useless.
you can do it synthetic or not, as you want, but it must help you to remember everything when you read it again.
I usually write few words for topics i think to remember well, tons of words when i realize the topic is difficult for me to remember.
This helps me when i have an exame with too many pages. (and studying law there are no pictures in my books...).

When you take your schemes (drafts) you should be able to study that instead of the book; if it's not so, change the scheme, until it really helps you remember more or less all that's written in the book.



both tricks are intended to help you focous on topics, and to find a rational method of "storing" informations you read.

For concentration, for example, avoid noisy rooms, or listening music while studying.

Feel free to write to me if you want to talk about it, and also if there's something in my answer that's not clear to you.
Consider that i'm italian, and i've learnt my english in school many years ago...
I wish you good luck, bye ;-)

Answer 3

Get adequate sleep (8 hours adults, 9 hours toddlers, 9 to ten hours teens) get some workout maximum days, a minimum of one million/2 hour get good high quality sleep - if dogs are barking contained in the evening, or a close-by airport retains you up, play mushy music all evening to dam out the sound. in case you think a nap sickness, then google sleep hygeine and sleep subject matters & get more effective information in this. do not multitask. study proves our brains deal with one component at a time suitable. If we do 2 issues straight away, we do not carry out o.k.. pay interest. many situations, we do not type a reminiscence to commence with. Use flash playing cards and crib sheets if you're in college. if you're in college, write formulae, names, dates, and so on on the interior the front hide of your exam e-e book once you get it, if you're apprehensive you'll forget those issues less than pressure, or have a negative reminiscence. once you meet someone new, use their call a pair situations even as you communicate over with them, to get it into your head. type an association, like in case you meet someone named michael, imagine of michael phelps and olympic swimming. this would help a lot. I nonetheless have problem, becuase I have bipolar sickness & that messes up reminiscence, so as quickly as i'm getting away, I write their call down. Or, ask for a organisation card. In a sit down assembly, write their names down straight away on your notepad. study and memorize the call later & remind your self some situations till you've it down chilly.

Answer 4

I suggest Memory Optimizer. It's an all natural supplement. It increases and maintains memory function, improves ability to learn new information, increases blood and oxygen flow to the brain helping you to stay sharp, and supports overall brain health.

Contains Bacopa monnieri and vinpocetine - enhances memory and cognitive function

Bacopa - improves memory and ability to learn new information

Vinpocetine - to enhance flood flow, glucose utilization, and increase oxygen uptake to the brain

Polygala - herb for brain health

Hope this is useful and feel free to contact me with questions.

Answer 5

Mind Puzzles
Practice remembering small details & increase the lists.

Answer 6

Try ginko biloba it's a vitimin and it can't hurt you. My mom gave it to me all through school because my memory sucks too. It helped I think.