how to remember course material

by Ahmad Walker I 8 min read

  • Ask yourself questions about the study material. Asking questions is a simple but very effective technique to use instead of just rereading the notes you took during the lecture, or ...
  • Visualise the study material. Make diagrams of the information you must memorise. First, in order to create a good visualisation, you need a good understanding of the study material.
  • Arrange your study time. A common practice among students is to study at the last moment – with some it works just fine, but only with the sole purpose of ...
  • 9 additional tips on how to remember better. Before you start the study process, read everything and try to understand it. ...

Simple memory tips and tricks
  1. Try to understand the information first. Information that is organized and makes sense to you is easier to memorize. ...
  2. Link it. ...
  3. Sleep on it. ...
  4. Self-test. ...
  5. Use distributed practice. ...
  6. Write it out. ...
  7. Create meaningful groups. ...
  8. Use mnemonics.

How do I remember what I study?

To remember what you study you need spaced repetition, which is simply saying you need to revisit the material many times. You know I like an easy-to-implement system, so here is what I suggest:

What should I do if I don't understand the material?

If you find that you don’t understand the material, spend some time on understanding it before trying to memorize it. Link it. Connect the information you are trying to memorize to something that you already know.

What is the best way to memorize things?

Create meaningful groups. A good strategy for memorizing is to create meaningful groups that simplify the material. For example, let’s say you wanted to remember the names of four plants—garlic, rose, hawthorn, and mustard. The first letters abbreviate to GRHM, so you can connect that with the image of a GRAHAM cracker.

Why are the four steps to master memorization so effective?

This also backs up why the four steps to master memorization are so effective because they embed information in different ways. This article suggests you need to see a fact at least seven times to remember it. To remember what you study you need spaced repetition, which is simply saying you need to revisit the material many times.

How can I memorize study materials quickly?

Try out these memorization tips for students that will help you exercise your mind and improve recall.Organize your space.Visualize the information.Use acronyms and mnemonics.Use image-name associations.Use the chaining technique.Learn by doing.Study in different locations.Revisit the material.

What is the trick to memorize?

3:297:00Memorize Anything In 60 Seconds (Quick Tips and Tricks ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that's how you know Sharon moving on let's say someone gives you a number to remember it mightMoreAnd that's how you know Sharon moving on let's say someone gives you a number to remember it might be a phone number or a password. Let's say the number is seven eight one four nine two one nine four

What is the fastest way to memorize textbooks?

Examine the book.Make an equation.Get index cards.Find the big points and jot them down.Make use of your Memory Palace.Create crazy imagery to help you recall the info.Stick each crazy image onto a Memory Palace station for recall.Test yourself before the teacher does.More items...•

How can I remember what I study in 15 minutes?

This means:Schedule a 15-minute cumulative review each day.Schedule it at the same time to help the habit stick.During your cumulative review, look at your notes from all of the previous material. ... Taking effective notes is the key to doing this review quickly, and remember to always refine your notes.

How can I study faster without forgetting?

So, if you want to determine how to study well for exams without forgetting then you must try to study for short periods. Try to take a break in between and then again come back and study. This will enable you to learn faster as well as remember whatever you learn for a longer period of time.

Why do I don't remember what I study?

Don't skip over it because it's too boring or too hard. Learn it now and it will save you frustration and time later. If you wait too long to review, then you've forgotten the material. The theory is that if you study at the moment that you are about to forget, you will remember better and for longer periods of time.

How can I memorize in 5 minutes?

2:204:50How to Memorize Word-for-word (IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then the third step is to read it from what you just wrote down and the fourth step is to try toMoreAnd then the third step is to read it from what you just wrote down and the fourth step is to try to read it from memory.

How can I learn 100 pages in a day?

0:020:59How to study 100 pages book in one day? #shorts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight in one hour it depends on person. Right study 20 videos in one night that means five hours youMoreRight in one hour it depends on person. Right study 20 videos in one night that means five hours you will be able to complete 100 pages. Right because when you're realizing you should be retracting.

How many pages can I memorize in a day?

Based on my personal experience,I would say, you can consider an average of at least 15 pages/hour. In the first hour, it should be around 20 pages. As every hour passes, the number of pages will start to decrease. After a break, you can again start with 20 pages/hour and the cycle goes on.

What is the best studying method?

The ten study methods researchers have found that work are:Making and Keeping a Study Schedule. ... Studying in an Appropriate Setting — Same Time, Same Place, Every Day. ... Equipping Your Study Area With All the Materials You Need. ... Not Relying on Inspiration for Motivation. ... Keeping a Well-Kept Notebook Improves Grades.More items...

How can students get sharp memory?

These 11 research-proven strategies can effectively improve memory, enhance recall, and increase retention of information.Focus Your Attention. ... Avoid Cramming. ... Structure and Organize. ... Utilize Mnemonic Devices. ... Elaborate and Rehearse. ... Visualize Concepts. ... Relate New Information to Things You Already Know. ... Read Out Loud.More items...

How can I study smart?

10 proven tips to study smarter, not harderStudy in short chunks. Short study sessions help the synapses in your brain process information much better than lots of information in long sessions. ... Get in the zone. ... Sleep well and exercise. ... Write flash cards. ... Connect the dots. ... Set goals. ... Test yourself. ... Aim to teach it.More items...•

How to make memorization stronger?

Repeat, repeat, repeat. Hear the information; read the information; say it (yes, out loud), and say it again. The more you use or repeat the information, the stronger the links to it. The more senses you use to process the information, the stronger the memorization.

How to learn objectives?

Learning Objectives. Identify what is important to remember. Understand the difference between short- and long-term memory. Use a variety of strategies to build your memory power. Identify the four key types of mnemonic devices. Use mnemonics to remember lists of information.

What are mnemonic devices?

The most commonly used mnemonic devices are acronyms, acrostics, rhymes, and jingles. A word formed from the initial letters of words in a phrase or series of words, such as “USA” for “United States of America.”. are words or phrases made up by using the first letter of each word in a list or phrase.

How to improve short term memory?

Eliminate distractions. Every time you have to “reboot” your short-term memory, you risk losing data points. Multitasking—listening to music or chatting on Facebook while you study—will play havoc with your ability to memorize because you will need to reboot your short-term memory each time you switch mental tasks.

What is the process of storing and retrieving information?

Memory. The process of storing and retrieving information. is the process of storing and retrieving information. Think of a computer. In many ways it is an electronic model of the human memory . A computer stores, retrieves, and processes information similarly to how the human mind does.

What is the job of listening effectively and taking notes?

By listening effectively and taking notes, your job is to distill the main ideas and a few keywords. These are the things you should choose to memorize. In your early and high school education, memorization was a key aspect of learning. You memorized multiplication tables, the names of the states, and vocabulary words.

Does memory fail everyone?

The fact is, memory fails everyone from time to time. It is not surprising that students, with a huge amount of information they must commit to memory (not to mention frequent distractions and interruptions), are often frustrated by their memory. Let’s start by taking some of the pressure off you.

What is rote memorising?

Rote memorising, i.e. to remember by repeating as many times as possible, is out. Putting facts to memory by brute force will not make you gain the most important result from studying, which is, comprehension. And to be honest, it will be pretty damn boring. Studying should be fun – all about thoughtful exploration and discovering new things.

How to counter deterioration of memory?

To counter this, use spaced repetition. Review your materials intermittently to slow down the deterioration of your memory as time passes.

How to improve productivity in a cram?

If you have to cram, do it smartly. Set 25-30 minute chunks of intense study and rest for five minutes after. Modelled after the Pomodoro Technique which uses the Italian Tomato Clock, this method will minimise distraction and boost productivity.

How much information can you recall in an hour?

But as little as an hour later, you can only recall a mere 44 percent of what you have read.

Why do people prefer to study on paper?

94% of university students polled said they preferred studying using paper as it was easier to focus and the freedom to highlight, annotate and write on the margins. And unlike computer screens, reading on paper also helps with spatial memory – you can recall a certain bit of information by where it was placed on a book.

How to answer a question in a lecture?

First, spot the problem areas. Second, design a question which addresses this area. Third, answer your question. Use all your lecture notes, library books, and even Google Search. Don’t move on until you are confident with your answer and rest assured, you will understand the concepts better by going through this route.

What is teaching in university?

By teaching, you are forced to summarise, condense, investigate, draw conclusions – promoting a deeper personal understanding. This is great for university study which focuses on analysis, as compared to pre-university, which are usually more fact-driven.

How to ask questions in a lecture?

Asking questions is a simple but very effective technique to use instead of just rereading the notes you took during the lecture, or from the text book. Rereading the study materials several times will just give you a false feeling that you already know and remember everything. Stop right there! Separate the text in few parts and think of suitable questions about each one. Write the questions down and start asking yourself. If you cannot answer properly and you feel like you are missing something, go back to the part related to your question and find the answer there.

Can you study at the last moment?

A common practice among students is to study at the last moment – with some it works just fine, but only with the sole purpose of passing the exams. We know that passing exams and forgetting everything you have studied the last couple of days, the moment you pass it, is really ruining everything. You cannot use this information that you studied anymore, neither in your next exams nor in your life in the future.

How to remember what you study?

To remember what you study you need spaced repetition, which is simply saying you need to revisit the material many times. You know I like an easy-to-implement system, so here is what I suggest:

How many times do you need to see a new fact to remember it?

Factors like our previous knowledge and the ways we embed information have a big impact. This also backs up why the four steps to master memorization are so effective because they embed information in different ways. This article suggests you need to see a fact at least seven times to remember it.

What is the key to doing this review quickly?

Taking effective notes is the key to doing this review quickly, and remember to always refine your notes.

How long is a cumulative review?

Schedule a 15-minute cumulative review each day.

Who used the Memory Palace technique?

Practice memory techniques such as those used by four-time US memory champion Nelson Dellis and others. Jim Kwik explains the Memory Palace technique which you can use to memorize a textbook.

What is a final thought?

A Final Thought. Focus and use memory techniques to learn, then take breaks and reward yourself after a solid study session. By Pat Bowden, published April 16, 2019. Post navigation.

How to memorize something?

It may seem strange at first, but talking to yourself about the material you are trying to memorize can be an effective memory tool. Try speaking aloud instead of simply highlighting or rereading information.

How to memorize something you already know?

Link it. Connect the information you are trying to memorize to something that you already know. 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 the fact 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.

Why do competitive memorizers use memory tricks?

Competitive memorizers claim that practicing visualization techniques and using memory tricks enable 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.

How to memorize the names of plants?

Create meaningful groups. A good strategy for memorizing is to create meaningful groups that simplify the material. For example, let’s say you wanted to remember the names of four plants—garlic, rose, hawthorn, and mustard. The first letters abbreviate to GRHM, so you can connect that with the image of a GRAHAM cracker. Now all you need to do is remember to picture a graham cracker, and the names of the plants will be easier to recall.

What is the best way to memorize a sentence?

Use mnemonics. Mnemonics are systems and tricks that make information for memorable. One common type is when the first letter of each word in a sentence is also the first letter of each word in a list that needs to be memorized. For example, many children learned the order of operations in math by using the sentence Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally (parentheses, exponents, multiply, divide, add, subtract). Check out Wikipedia for a good list of examples and ideas.

How to remember the number of days in a month?

The common practice of using your knuckles to remember the number of days in each month is a great example of an easy visual spatial technique to help you remember details. Memorable visual images. The next time you have a key item you need to remember, try making a memorable visual image to represent that item.

How do songs help us remember?

Songs and jingles. Much like the memory palace and images, songs or jingles use your brain’s right hemisphere and can help us remember tricky things like equations and lists. There are already plenty of songs out there for things like the quadratic formula—try Googling what you are trying to remember to see if someone has already created a tune. If not, try making your own.

How to memorize information when rehearsing?

In fact, try to completely disconnect yourself from digital devices. Print out your material, silence your mobile phone and shut down your computer. Keep all distractions at bay before immersing yourself in the rehearsal. If you give your mind time and space to memorise the information, you'll be able to recall it more easily later on.

Why is music important for memory?

Not only does the right music have a way to calm and focus your mind, but several researchers and memory experts have recommended listening to music as a way to help you retain information.

How to organize disjointed ideas?

One of the best ways to organize these ideas is to use mind maps.

Does memorizing a speech pay off?

Although memorising your speech might take some time and effort, being prepared will definitely pay off. If you're completely familiar with your presentation material, you'll be able to deliver it with confidence and make it much more engaging for your audience as well.

Is REM sleep good for memory?

It's common knowledge that your day's memory is processed during your sleep, and many neuroscientists believe that REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is necessary for memory retention.

Can you keep looking at notes when you're speaking?

When it comes to preparing for a presentation, one of the most challenging tasks you will have to face is remembering your material. After all, you can't keep looking at your notes all the time when you're speaking in front of an audience. However, constantly forgetting your lines can make you seem just as incompetent. So what can you do to avoid this problem?

Can you record a PowerPoint presentation?

In fact, Microsoft PowerPoint actually has a record narration feature that allows you to record your presentation along with each relevant slide. If you listen to your recording along with these slides, you're getting both visual and auditory information that go hand-in-hand and will find that your mind is better able to remember what it heard rather than what it read.

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