Enhancing Your Memory Academic Support Unit Adapted from: Practicing College Learning Strategies 3 rd edition Carolyn H. Hopper

Memory & Memorization Memory is mental ability to store, retain & recall information. Memory is mental ability to store, retain & recall information. Memorization is a method of learning that allows an individual to recall information. Memorization is a method of learning that allows an individual to recall information.

How Memory Works: Memory can be described as an interactive process which takes place in three Stages: Memory can be described as an interactive process which takes place in three Stages: 1) Reception or Encoding: Gathering Info from your senses. These info enters S-T-Memory. 2) Storage: Info either fades away or is processed for storage in L- T- Memory. 3) Retrieval of the info from L-T-Memory to be placed where you can use it when you need it (Active Memory).

Short Term Memory Meaningful Organization Sensory Modes Rehearsal Long Term Memory Active Memory Self Testing Periodic Review Reverse the Input

Where Memory Resides? Bits and pieces of same Info are stored in various areas of the brain. Bits and pieces of same Info are stored in various areas of the brain.

We remember 10% of what we read 10% of what we read 20% of what we hear 20% of what we hear 30% of what we see 30% of what we see 50% of what we see and hear 50% of what we see and hear 70% of what we discuss with others 70% of what we discuss with others 95% of what we teach others 95% of what we teach others Edgar dale

Memory Facts To Remember what you are Studying: 1) You have to Understand the Materials. 2) You must have the desire to learn it.

What are Memory Principles? * Memory Principles are ways to transfer info from S-T-M to L-T-M. * They are divided into 4 main Groups: a) Making an Effort. b) Controlling the Amount & Form. c) Strengthening. d) Allowing Time to Soak-in.

a) Making an Effort: a) Making an Effort: Interest: in order to remember something thoroughly, you must be interested in. Interest: in order to remember something thoroughly, you must be interested in. Intent to Remember: Being positive that you will remember is a key factor for remembering Intent to Remember: Being positive that you will remember is a key factor for remembering Basic Background: Understanding of new material depends to a great degree on how much you already know about the subject. Basic Background: Understanding of new material depends to a great degree on how much you already know about the subject.

b) Controlling the Amount & Form * Selectivity: You must determine what is important & You must determine what is important & select those parts for study & learn. select those parts for study & learn. * Meaningful Organization: you will learn or remember better if you you will learn or remember better if you group the ideas into some sort of group the ideas into some sort of meaningful categories or groups meaningful categories or groups

c) Strengthening * Recitation : Speaking ideas a loud in your own words-The Most powerful tool to transfer info form S-T-M to L-T-M. Speaking ideas a loud in your own words-The Most powerful tool to transfer info form S-T-M to L-T-M. * Visualization: making a mental picture of what needs to be remembered. You use an entirely different part of your brain than you do by reading and listening. making a mental picture of what needs to be remembered. You use an entirely different part of your brain than you do by reading and listening. * Association: Memory is increased when facts to be learned are associated with something familiar to you. Memory is increased when facts to be learned are associated with something familiar to you.

d) Allow Time to Soak in * Consolidation: by making a list or review your notes right after the class you use the principle of consolidation. by making a list or review your notes right after the class you use the principle of consolidation. * Distributed Practices: Shorter study sessions over several days is preferable to fewer but longer study sessions. Shorter study sessions over several days is preferable to fewer but longer study sessions.

Key points to remember Key points to remember Create your own examples Create your own examples Relate difficult material to your experience Relate difficult material to your experience Think of what you are learning and relate it to what is important to you Think of what you are learning and relate it to what is important to you Concentrate on developing the big picture-the sequence of ideas which help to better understanding of material. Concentrate on developing the big picture-the sequence of ideas which help to better understanding of material.

A Few techniques Memorization begins with a simple act of taking notes in class or reading in the text You must: Rewrite & organize your note Rewrite & organize your note Create index cards on key terms/definitions Create index cards on key terms/definitions Review & recite frequently Review & recite frequently Use mnemonics Use mnemonics

Your life style can improve your memory Practice sports : Will help increase the supply of oxygen to the brain. Practice sports : Will help increase the supply of oxygen to the brain. Observe good nutrition: Prevent dips of blood glucose by having small five healthy meals. Observe good nutrition: Prevent dips of blood glucose by having small five healthy meals. Stay intellectually active through learning. Stay intellectually active through learning. Keep sleep time regular. Keep sleep time regular. Avoid depression or emotional instability. Avoid depression or emotional instability.

Mind Mapping is a great techniques that helps remembering A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks or other items linked and arranged around a central keyword or idea. A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks or other items linked and arranged around a central keyword or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, visualized, structure and classify ideas. Mind maps are used to generate, visualized, structure and classify ideas. Mind Maps aids in study, organization, problem solving, decision making and writing Mind Maps aids in study, organization, problem solving, decision making and writing Mind Maps aids in recall of existing memories. Mind Maps aids in recall of existing memories.