Using Your Memory Effectively

• Rather study in several short periods than in one long period.
• After a lecture or after studying the textbook, review the material immediately, then again approximately 8 hours later.
• If studying in the evening, review the material immediately after getting up.
• Summarize important material on note cards or in a separate section in your notebook. Review this material on a regular basis.
• Overlearn the material. Even if you feel you have a good grasp of the material, continue to review and study it. This will increase the time you can remember it.
• While studying repeat what you have learned, either by writing it down in your own words or by reciting it.
• Especially if you are an auditory learner, it helps to study with another students. Have questions and answer sessions about the material you just studied.
• Use mnemonic devices, such as "Please excuse my dear aunt Sally"
• Especially if you are a visual learner, use mental imagery to picture the information in your mind.
• If you are a kinesthetic/tactile learner, it might help to associate certain movements with the topic.

• Put the information into short-term memory.
  • Listen actively. Use the information right away by writing it down or reciting it to yourself.
  • Don't let yourself be distracted.
• Put the information into long-term memory.
  • Putting information into long-term memory means organizing your short-term memories into meaningful context. You need to think about the information, understand the information, place the meaning into context and go over the information.
  • Make sure you understand the information and are not just doing homework by rote.
  • Recite the information to yourself. Write the information down
  • Do not learn isolated facts, place the information into meaningful context.
  • Use mental images and associations.
  • Avoid distractions while placing the information into long-term memory.
• Retrieve the information from long-term memory.
  • Review the information on a regular basis. This keeps the information in active memory.
  • Avoid distractions, such as test anxiety, lack of sleep, hunger.