How can I memorize things?

Question

I have trouble remembering things like rote facts, peoples names, and specifics in what I see, hear and read. Any tips?

Answer 1

Memorization is never fun or easy. Break things up.

- First try to remember a few words... then add some more... and so on.
- If that doesn't work, try making up a song.
- Another idea is to continuously write the same few words over and over again until they are jammed in your brain.
- Verbal memorization is good, too. Say the same thing over and over again.
- It really doesn't seem like it would help, but flashcards really work. For example, I have to memorize definitions of words. I can learn 20 in 10 minutes with flash cards. Without flash cards, it takes me about an hour. So, try that, too!
- The best way is to do it when you aren't thinking. When you're in the shower, watching tv, brushing your teeth, whatever... just belt it out!

Good luck!

Answer 2

There are a number of methods. Using an anagram helps you recall specific facts. For example if you are trying to recall the names of the Great Lakes. HOMES is the how I remember them. The anagram stands for Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. Take your notes and make precis out of them...circle or rewrite the most important aspects of the notes and put them on index cards...read and re-read them over several weeks and have someone quiz you on the information. Even using audio tape will help in this. Ask questions on the tape and allow a pause between each so that you have time to answer. If you are successful you move onto the next question. If you need further review re-read the factual information and come back to the question the next day.

Answer 3

My tip is that you get exposed to those thing. For example if you are trying to remember a vocabulary, take 5 minutes every day and read the meaning of the word, eventually you will remember it. If this does not help, then you must be really old or you have major memory problem. ^_^

Answer 4

Make Flashcards
and Quiz yourself
seeing how many you can get right can give you an indea of what you may get on the test
Also Try to relate names to other things
Like for example my History teacher made sure the class memorized The Russian President Gladamir Putin. (get it the poop president?)

Its unfornate that it wont work for every single name/word but Im sure you can think of someother things to relate it to in your head.

Another Example
interior
the INside
so know its common sence to know what exterior is...

Answer 5

The best way to remember things is to write them down. Once you've physically written something, it tends to stick in your mind better. You might consider carrying a small notebook with a page for dates, one for names, etc. Or try the old tried-and-true flash cards. A simple technique, but it works! Good luck.

Answer 6

well, it would help if i knew if i knew which one of the techniques (seeing, hearing, reading) worked BEST. anyways, try making the things you learned into catchy phrases (so they can get stuck in your head, LOL), like the phases of mitosis. the phases are: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis. however, here is an easy way to memorize it: I Party Mondays And Tuesdays Continuously. each word begins with the letter of the phases of mitosis. you can also try making flashcards. that helps if you prefer studying through reading. another way is to record yourself. record the information you need for facts, names, etc. and listen to it over and over (audio learner)! okay?

Answer 7

When trying to remember someones name, try to think of something to describe them that rhymes or is similar to their name. Like, if someones name is Mary and she's very hairy, then just think "Hairy Mary" and you've got it.

If studying for a test, make your own little quiz on note cards. Like, on one note card, write a question on the front of the note card. EX: "Who was the first president?" Then, on the back of the note card, write the answer. EX:"George Washington"
If available, try using colored note cards, or colored pens. The mind remembers things better if in color.

If your trying to remember something someone said, repeat what they're saying in your head right after they say it. And then of course, there's always the options of writing everything down. Like, if someone tells you to pick up their shirt form the dry cleaners, scribble it son in a notebook. Yes, it sounds dull, but it really does work.

When trying to remember someones name, try to think of something to describe them that rhymes or is similar to their name. Like, if someones name is Mary and she's very hairy, then just think "Hairy Mary" and you've got it.

Overall, the mind remembers things better after they've been repeated several times-- it makes your neuro-pathways deeper. So after you hear or read something just repeat it over and over again in your head-- doing it aloud is probably better.

Hope this helps!

Answer 8

Think of memory tricks for the important information.

Example: Mitochondria provide energy for the cell; the cell can't be "mighty" without "mito" chondria.

Answer 9

When you hear, or talk to that person smell something so whenever you smell that you will remeber that person........And when you hear something eat something so everytime you eat that you will remeber that sound.
When i used to forget the most simple things but i tried what i just told you and it worked try it.