Memory Strategies

Learning takes time.

That's all there is to it, but here are techniques that will make the learning process more efficient.

• We get material to our brains through seeing, hearing and doing. To learn most efficiently, use all of your senses.
• Turn text or lecture material into diagrams, time lines, and graphic organizers. Often pictures are easier to remember than words.
• Copy or type your notes on a computer or laptop if this assists you in learning the material.
• Read your text or class notes aloud into a recording device and then play back the audio.
• Rehearse material either orally or in writing. Write out concepts in detail or read your notes and then explain the concepts.
• Review material frequently throughout the semester.
• When learning detailed information use strategies that aid in recall such as listing, categorizing, drawing, visualizing, alphabetizing, devising acronyms, or association.
• Used spaced memorizing. We retain more if we study in shorter blocks of time but more often.
• Understand the organization of the material you are learning. It is easier for our minds to remember organized information than disorganized information.