Many students have difficulty while studying, for example taking an exam, mastering a foreign language, or memorizing a lesson that the teacher explains in class. Although the brain has a very high ability to remember information in the long term, you may not always be able to remember it when you need it. However, there are some tips to strengthen memory. Take care of your body and mental health to increase your brain's ability to store new information. In addition, choose the right place to study so that it is easier for you to memorize information.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Applying Tips When Memorizing Information
Step 1. Divide the lesson material into sections
This step helps you understand and memorize the information. Instead of memorizing one chapter at a time, try to memorize the subject matter paragraph by paragraph or important information one by one.
- For example, if you want to memorize foreign language vocabulary, don't memorize 7-8 words at a time.
- Before you memorize the information in the textbook, read the table of contents. Each textbook chapter is usually divided into several sub-chapters so that there is less information. Try to understand and memorize the information per sub-chapter to completion before moving on to the next sub-chapter.
Step 2. Study a variety of subjects
When memorizing subject matter, memorize different subjects so that the brain is able to retain information properly. Choose a very different topic so that your brain doesn't tire of having to work hard to remember a lot of information on the same subject (or 2 almost the same subject) at once. Plus, you don't feel bored from studying a certain subject over and over again.
- For example, start learning by memorizing a few French words and then learn algebraic formulas.
- Set aside 50 minutes to memorize each subject and then take a 15 minute break before studying the next subject. Study productivity and ability to concentrate increase when you have time to rest.
Step 3. Take notes as the teacher teaches in class
While listening to the teacher teach or reading a book, write down the important information or formula being explained, but don't take notes verbatim. Write down the important things in a succinct way to optimize brain work so that you understand and remember the most important information.
- If possible, use a pen and paper when taking notes. Writing by hand and typing with a keyboard make the brain work differently because you need to think a little longer before writing.
- One good way to take notes is to draw a doodle because it helps you focus your attention and remember information.
Step 4. Test yourself
Every time you finish memorizing 1 chapter, take the time to test yourself. Do this step by making note cards, asking yourself questions, or doing practice questions and then checking your answers using the answers to the questions provided in the textbook. If you're studying with friends, ask each other questions.
- Taking quizzes is a way to test yourself when studying alone or with friends. Make digital note cards from the material you just studied or use cards made by friends.
- One way to test yourself is to ask basic questions about the material you have just studied, for example, "What are the main ideas presented in this chapter?"
- In addition to knowing how well you understand the material being studied, self-testing makes the brain work harder to retain information.
Step 5. Memorize lessons at time intervals
Repeated memorization is very useful when you want to remember information well. This step is especially effective if you set a certain time interval, that is, until you start to forget the information you just learned. Delay memorizing for a certain duration so that the memory muscles are stronger so that your brain is able to store information in the long term.
- In order to maximize learning outcomes, set a short duration as the first interval and then gradually extend the duration of each interval. For example, if you memorized today's lesson, let it settle for one night, then memorize it again tomorrow. Test yourself after 2 days and a week later.
- Use an app to schedule study intervals, such as SuperMemo or Ultimate Study Timer.
Step 6. Create memory triggers called mnemonics
One easy way to bring up memories is to come up with a memory provoking word or phrase. To do this, you can create acronyms (such as MEJIKUHIBINIU for memorizing the colors of the rainbow), create memory castles, string some words together, or use your imagination to make it easier for you to remember information.
- Mnemonics are acronyms taken from each word you want to memorize. Also, make acrostic sentences using the first letter of each word you want to memorize or a series of rhyming words. Use pictures related to the lesson if you find it easier to memorize using visual means.
- Music is a very effective memory trigger. To make the information easier to remember, give a melody to each syllable you want to memorize. For example, since several generations ago, a series of alphabets with melodies were often used when teaching the alphabet to children.
- You don't need to create a memory angler that makes sense to other people. The weirder or more specific, the better. For example, if you want to memorize the English word "thank you" (which means "thank you"), imagine that you are riding a U-shaped tank.
Step 7. Explain the material you want to memorize to others
Teaching is a very effective way of learning because you need to understand the material you want to teach in order to teach. In addition, you need to summarize and present the material clearly and easily understood by others. This method helps you understand and remember information.
Method 2 of 3: Forming Good Habits
Step 1. Start studying ahead of time
In order for you to be able to remember the subject matter in the long term, set aside plenty of time for understanding and memorizing. When you want to take an exam, study at least 2 weeks in advance. Staying up late to take the exam tomorrow morning makes it difficult for you to remember the material to be studied. In addition, you will be sleepy, stressed, and feel bored because you force yourself to memorize a lot of information.
Step 2. Get in the habit of getting enough sleep after studying
In general, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep a night every day to maintain good health. In addition to restoring energy and improving your ability to concentrate, this step will make it easier for you to learn and memorize. When you sleep, your brain will store new information so you can understand very complex material or formulas after a short rest or a good night's sleep. Enjoy the maximum benefits of sleep by implementing a healthy sleep pattern according to the following instructions:
- If you want to take a nap, limit it to 20-30 minutes, no more.
- Do not take stimulants, such as caffeine or nicotine, 4-6 hours before bedtime. In addition, you can not sleep well if you drink alcohol before bed.
- Get in the habit of exercising at least 10 minutes a day to improve sleep quality.
- Avoid dinner menus that trigger heartburn or indigestion, such as spicy, sour, or fatty foods.
- Get into the habit of relaxing before going to bed at night, for example by turning off the computer and cellphone, doing meditation or light stretching, taking a bath or soaking in warm water. Also, take time to read books. Set aside about hour to relax before bed at night so that you quickly fall asleep.
Step 3. Apply a healthy diet.
This step gives you the energy you need to concentrate and remember information. Eat a diet high in lean protein (e.g. fish, lean meats, and leafy greens), whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and foods that contain healthy fats (e.g. sources of vegetable oils, fish, and nuts).. Make sure you drink enough water to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Healthy fats, such as docosehaxaenoic acid (DHA), are useful for strengthening memory. To increase your DHA intake, eat plenty of fish or take fish oil supplements as needed
Step 4. Take a break
Forcing yourself to study too long makes you sleepy or often daydreaming. Each time you study for 1 hour, take a 5-15 minute break to eat a snack, relax your feet, or take a nap to make learning activities more effective and useful.
Method 3 of 3: Setting Up a Conducive Study Place
Step 1. Find a comfortable place to study
You will find it difficult to concentrate if you study in an environment that is not conducive. Therefore, look for a place to study that is neat, quiet, comfortable, and spacious enough to put everything you need while studying. If you don't have a comfortable chair to sit in your favorite study area, bring your own pillow to sit on.
You can study at your desk at home, in the school library, or in a quiet coffee shop
Step 2. Make sure you study in a quiet place
Noisy environment makes you unable to concentrate. So, find a place to study where there are no distractions, such as the sound of people talking, building construction, or music playing by other people. If needed, muffle the distracting noises by playing quiet music that doesn't distract you.
If there are other people at the study, such as a family member or roommate, let them know that you want to study for a few hours and don't want to be disturbed
Step 3. Choose a place to study with good lighting
Dim or flashing lights make you distracted and can't see the material to be studied properly. If you study during the day, find a place that is well lit by sunlight. If you study at night or cannot study near a window in direct sunlight, study in a room with broad-spectrum fluorescent lighting.
Step 4. Don't be tempted by distractions
Studying on social media, playing games, or watching movies keeps you distracted. Instead, find a room where there is no TV or, at the very least, turn off the TV while studying. If possible, turn off or keep your phone so you don't get tempted to socialize. If you're on a computer, take advantage of browser extensions to increase study productivity, such as StayFocused, so you don't run out of time getting too busy browsing websites.
Step 5. Don't study in bed
Bouts of drowsiness are harder to fight if you study in a place that's too comfortable. If you get sleepy easily, don't study on a soft sofa or chair. Instead, use a study desk while studying.
