Many college courses require you to memorize mass amounts of information. Memorizing for one class can be difficult, but it can be even more frustrating when you have multiple classes. Many students feel like they simply do not have strong memory skills. Fortunately, though, memorizing is not just for an elite group of people born with the right skills—anyone can train and develop their memorizing abilities.

Competitive memorizers claim that practicing visualization techniques and memory tricks enables them to remember large chunks of information quickly. Research shows that students who use memory tricks perform better than those who do not. Memory tricks help you expand your working memory and access long-term memory. These techniques can also enable you to remember some concepts for years or even for life. Finally, memory tricks like these lead to understanding and higher-order thinking. Keep reading for an introduction to effective memorization techniques that will help you in school.

Simple memory tips and tricks

In addition to visual and spatial memory techniques, there are many others tricks you can use to help your brain remember information. Here are some simple tips to try. Check out this video from the Learning Center for a quick explanation of many of these tips.

1.Try to understand the information first and then start reading :     

                 That is organized and makes sense to you is easier to memorize. If you don’t understand the material, spend some time understanding it before trying to memorize it.

2.Link it and read it:                   

Collect the information you are trying to memorize to something that you already know. The material in isolation is more difficult to remember than material that is connected to other concepts. If you cannot think of a way to connect the information to something you already know, make up a crazy connection. For example, say you are trying to memorize that water at sea level boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, and 212 happens to be the first three digits of your best friend’s phone number. Link these two by imagining throwing your phone into a boiling ocean. It’s a crazy link, but it can help that fact to stick.

3.Sleep on time:                                 

studies show that your brain processes and stores information while you sleep. Try to review the information just before you go to sleep—even if it’s only for a few minutes—and see if it helps embed the information in your memory.

4.Self-test yourself first:                                     

Quiz yourself every so often by actively recalling the information you are trying to study. Make sure to quiz yourself actively—do not simply reread notes or a textbook. Often, students think they remember material just because it is familiar to them when they reread it. Instead, ask yourself questions and force yourself to remember them without looking at the answer or material. This will enable you to identify areas you are struggling with; you can then go back to one of the memory tricks to help yourself memorize it. Also, avoid quizzing yourself immediately after trying to memorize something. Wait a few hours, or even a day or two, to see if it has really stuck in your memory.

Must Use distributive practice:

    For a concept to move from your temporary working memory to your long-term memory, two things need to happen: the concept should be memorable, and it should be repeated. Use repetition to lodge information in your memory firmly. Repetition techniques can involve things like flashcards, using the simple tips in this section, and self-testing. Space out your studying and repetition over several days, and start to increase the time in between each study session. Spacing it out and gradually extending the times between can help us become more certain of mastery and lock the concepts into place.

You must Write it out:

Writing appears to help us more deeply encode information that we’re trying to learn because there is a direct connection between our hands and our brain. Try writing your notes by hand during a lecture or rewriting and reorganizing notes or information by hand after a lecture. While you are writing out a concept, you want to remember, try to say the information out loud and visualize the concept as well.