It can often be embarrassing when one “forgets” important information. Names, facts, figures, etc., are recorded in the brain through molecular changes in the brain cells. These changes are analogous to the molecular changes and arrangements made on a cassette tape.
Research over the year’s shows that almost everything we see, hear, and read enters the short-term memory first. This information flows through our consciousness. If there is some memorable fact in the stream, you better grab it before it is gone for good.
The long-term memory is like a separate compartment with no doors in it. So, even if you grab a piece of interesting information that flows through your short-term memory, you cannot force it into the long-term memory by choice or brute strength. The only way to transfer information is by “thinking” through the compartment walls of the long-term memory.
This special type of thinking is a process called “reciting.” Psychologists believe that reciting is the most powerful memory technique.
When you find a fact that you want to remember, you must write it out on paper, study it for a few minutes to gain full understanding, then, without looking at the paper, recite aloud the idea in your own words.
It is this reciting that makes you think. It is also this variety of thinking that enables the idea to gain entrance into the long-term memory.
The brain is divided into two sections: the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. Psychologists have found an interesting fact: the left side processes and stores verbal information (words), while the right side processes and stores visual information (pictures). So, when we memorize a fact using words only, we’re making use of only half our brainpower. But, when we draw a picture of a fact and use words to describe the fact, we put both sides of the brain to work.
When you have a list of names, places, or facts to remember, take time to reorganize them into groups in which they best fit or belong. Grouping will help you to memorize more items in a shorter amount of time.
For example:
Baseball Football
Ken Griffey Jerry Rice
Cal Ripken Troy Aikman
Mo Vaughn Cordell Stewart
Gary Sheffield Reggie White
Consolidation is the time that it takes information to sink in. In order to remember information effectively, the mind must be given some sinking-in time.
Knowing that your memory needs consolidation time should affect you study habits. First, it supports the idea of recitation. By reciting what you learn, you hold the information in mind long enough for it to be consolidated. Second, it supports the practice of brief, but frequent breaks during a study session. These breaks not only give you a needed rest, they also allow your mind some time to consolidate what you have just learned.
External distractions are interruptions of hindrances that are outside the student – something in the environment.
These distractions can be aided by the following:
2. If you know you will sometimes be in a position where you must study with constant noise, practice simple tasks under distracting conditions.
3. Control visual distractions.
5. Study in a place and at a time conducive to concentrating.
6. Organize your materials before you being to study.
Internal distractions are those that are within the person – those not contingent on the surroundings. It is important to identify the type of distraction so that you will be able to control your learning situation better.
These distractions can be aided by the following:
Guidelines for Remembering
The guidelines for remembering include Attitude and Motivation, Organization, and Specific Study Skills.
· Intend to remember.
· Select what is important.
· Make associations.
· Be a critical reader and thinker.
· Put aside your biases when necessary.