By: Maddy Lestage Do you ever have trouble memorizing things? Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try to remember something, you just can’t seem to do it? The truth is, nobody has a perfect memory, and everybody forgets things from time to time. However, every single one of us has a limitless memory capacity. Storage isn’t the issue, the ability to recall the information we store is where we have trouble. This can be very frustrating at times, so here are a few simple tips and tricks that can help you improve your memory so you can bring it to use. Memory is not a set thing. It is very capable of being wrong because it changes over time. You may think you have a certain memory of something, but in truth, that memory could be a reconstruction of stories you have been told and photos you have seen over time. So, this means that memory is more like reconstruction than a photographic recording. This is because we use our (somewhat unreliable) long-term memory to help us bring information back into our short-term memories, and this can sometimes give the memory a new meaning. The mind's capacity to store and recall information is truly wondrous. However, there are several factors that explain why some of us have such a hard time processing the information we take in to form memories. The most prominent factor being technology. According to the 2018 Global Mobile Consumer Survey: US Edition, Americans are viewing their smartphones more often than ever before, on average 52 times per day. If you are between the age of 18 and 24, the rate is almost double. Also, the fact that all the information we need is available on the internet makes people a lot lazier when it comes to memorizing. This makes people less motivated to store the information in their head because they know that the information is just one google search away. Mr. LeDoux, whose work focuses on how the brain forms memories, said that “this instant-fact setup clouds our judgment on what information to filter and store.” Lastly, people like to multitask. Many people seem unaware of the fact that they would accomplish more if they gave their undivided attention to their task. This is because people aren’t as good at multitasking as they think. In fact, the brain does have limitations as to what it can process and handle. However, there are a few simple things we can do to improve our memories. Repetition The best way to transform short-term memories into long-term memories is by the repetition of tasks, such as reading or saying words over and over. In order to do this, we need to focus on only one task at a time. Repeating words, thoughts, and ideas over and over until you get them right is the easiest way to do it, and it is helpful because that is probably most like the strategies you used when you were younger. Take Your Time It is very important to take your time when you study. This means that you need to stop cramming immediately! Repetition is always the best way to remember things. Robert Bjork, the chair of U.C.L.A.’s psychology department said, “quickly stuffing facts into our brains leads us to forget them in the long-term.” Yet, when you rehearse stuff over and over again it sticks with you. Also, if you incorporate the stuff you are trying to remember into your daily life, you should begin to remember it over time. However, once you stop rehearsing it, you forget the information. It is called the “forgetting curve.” To avoid getting this, space out the repetition/study period over a few days. Motivation and Cues Since our minds wander so frequently, it is important to stay motivated. It was found that some students are motivated to focus by frequent tests on the material they are learning. Harvard researchers found that this method decreases daydreaming by 50 percent while studying, helping to keep people focused on their assignment. Mr. Schacter suggests employing visual or verbal cues to associate the information you are trying to remember with places and/or things. This is because memory is very cue-dependent. When you don’t have cues, it can be a lot more difficult to remember things. Stop Procrastinating… Get to Work! Many studies have found that procrastinating stresses people out. Then, when they go to do their work, the stress they have built up is at such a high level that it completely destroys their focus, not allowing them to get work done efficiently. This is bad because memory and focus are very closely related. If you aren’t completely focused when trying to memorize something, you will not retain much at all. “A lot of people are overconfident that they can handle distractions,” Mr. Schacter said. “Doing two things at once always has an effect.” Be aware of the situation you’re in and don’t let your surroundings distract you. Stop procrastinating… get to work! Our memories aren’t perfect by any means. Honestly, we could all use a bit of help with our memories. Memory is a very complex skill that you can learn and continue to improve throughout your life. The best way to improve memory is to follow these simple tips and tricks. They will help you more than you would expect. Popescu, A. (2017, October 19). Simple Ways to Be Better at Remembering. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/19/smarter-living/simple-ways-to-be-better-at-remembering.html?rref=collection/timestopic/Psychology and Psychologists&action=click&contentCollection=health®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=166&pgtype=collection https://i1.wp.com/axtschmiede.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/improving-your-memory.png?fit=650%2C350
5 Comments
Mandy
12/16/2018 02:24:34 pm
I really like the memorization techniques you listed. I use repetition and "anti-procrastination" a lot when I'm studying for tests and they actually work! I appreciate how one of your points was to "take your time." Although it's hard to find a lot of time to study, breaking it up over a few days before the test is what I do to A. speed up my studying process B. remember the information more thoroughly and C. prevent cramming the night before which is NOT helpful. Awesome article!
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Puja Patel
12/16/2018 02:25:57 pm
The rate at which I can forget something that someone just told me is very fast especially when studying. Something that I seem to do quite often is multi-tasking. When I’m doing my homework I might turn something on my phone to make it less boring but when I do this my homework takes longer then it should. Another thing that I know that people do is cram. When people have been busy they seem to end up cramming before a big test and do not perform as well as they usually would or when they need to recall this information before a final it is much harder. Your blog really showed many of the things that contribute to students stress levels and how they effect learning abilities. Doing things to improve your memory like the things that were suggested like repetition could be the key to a lower stress level. Your blog was very well written and shed light on the stress that we create for ourselves.
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Grace Delisle
12/16/2018 03:30:54 pm
I really liked how you explained the different techniques. Of course I knew that it was not a good idea to cram right before a test but this was helpful in reminding me of why. I think that repetition really seems to be the best method for me when studying. This is the way that I seem to be able to recall the most amount of information. I think that again spacing out the material that you need to learn is a lot more beneficial rather than cramming. Even if you use the repetition method it would not be as helpful if you do it all in one night rather than spanning the process out between a couple days.
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Jane Fulton
12/16/2018 06:25:29 pm
This is super interesting! When I study for a vocab quiz/test in a language class, often it is the night before when I am cramming, because I can store the words until the next day. However, a year later, I only really remember the words we used in class a lot. I also think the point about how we think we are better at handling distractions that we are is really interesting. When doing an assignment like writing an essay, it is way easier for me to go up to my room in peace and quiet to get it done rather than in the library. Even a library, which is supposed to be nice and quiet, has more distractions than my room and I don't work as efficiently. I liked your explanation of how the brain can be inaccurate with recalling memories; it's a strange thing to think about!
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Kathryn R Keaney
12/17/2018 06:48:15 am
This is very interesting Maddy! I also studied memory and how stress impacts it. I think it's very interesting that technology can alter your memory. I also agree that when studying one shouldn't try to cram the material right before the test, try to spread studying out. However, I also believe that you need a little stress to help remember what you are studying. You did so well on this project! Nice job Maddy!
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