A guide to healthier studying MNEMONICS

 Mnemonic Devices are very effective and powerful memory tools, with three limitations to consider:  Mnemonic devices do not always help you understand the material in a deep, meaningful way  Some mnemonic devices themselves are complicated to learn, or time consuming to develop  These devices can sometimes be forgotten and can be as difficult to recall as the material itself WHAT ARE MNEMONIC DEVICES? Adapted from Becoming a Master Student, by David Ellis. Houghton Mifflin Publishing

 1. New Words: Acronyms created from a phrase or series of words to create a new word  Example: NASA-National Aeronautics and Space Administration AARC-Academic Assistance and Resource Center  2. Creative Sentences: Helps you remember a series of letters that stands for something  Example: Every Good Boy Does Fine (EGBDF), the notes on the lines of the treble clef staff 4 CATEGORIES OF MNEMONICS Adapted from Becoming a Master Student, by David Ellis. Houghton Mifflin Publishing

 3. Rhymes and Songs: Think about that ad on TV or the radio with that “catchy” tune! Even if you aren’t interested in the product, you still find yourself singing the song. Similarly, this category is creating your own songs/rhymes or adopting one that is simple to remember.  Example: The quadratic formula song is sung to the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel! 4 CATEGORIES OF MNEMONICS Adapted from Becoming a Master Student, by David Ellis. Houghton Mifflin Publishing

 4. The Loci System: This system helps you create unusual visual associations that are easy to remember. For instance, when studying biology, we can use this system to memorize the order of structures of living things. Begin with the lowest point on your body, your toes-associate them with the lowest structure of living things-atoms. Then, work your way up to the highest point on your body, your head-associate them with biosystems, or groups of species. Molecules to feet, cells to ankles, etc. 4 CATEGORIES OF MNEMONICS Adapted from Becoming a Master Student, by David Ellis. Houghton Mifflin Publishing

Happy Studying!