Memorization Tips

 

One of the most basic building blocks of learning is memorization. Memorization is at the foundation of Bloom's Taxonomy for a reason. Without remembering core elements of your subject, you cannot easily move to higher levels of learning. That being said, sometimes memorization really feels like a slog. Here are some tips to help solidify your memorization!

 

Notecard Method

Do you have any classes that allow you to take a notecard into a test? This method uses that same idea, but it doesn't matter whether or not you can use it in a test. A week or two before the test, write down everything you think you might forget on a notecard, similar to the way you would prepare if you could create a "cheat sheet." Then, carry that notecard with you throughout the school day, looking at it every minute you can spare. That way you are slowly but surely retaining that information over time. Soon, you won't need the notecard to remember!

 

"Top Hits"

This is similar to the  notecard method, but more geared towards people who have strengths in auditory learning. Similar to the preparation for a notecard, write out everything you need to memorize. Then create a script for yourself in which you communicate that information in easy to digest sentences. For example, while y=mx+b might be on a written notecard, for "top hits" you would write out "Y equals M X plus B is the slope intercept formula." Then once you have prepared your script with the necessary information, record yourself saying it using a voice memo app on your phone. Again, similar to the notecard, listen to your "top hits" whenever you get a chance in the time leading up to your test. 

 

Context, Context, Context

One of the best ways to remember something is to remember why, or how, it is used. So if you have a list of terms or formulas, ask yourself "who, what, where, why, when, how" for each term. Depending on the subject, not all of those questions will be useful. For example, if you have a list of formulas "who" is not applicable, but it would be for historical events. Use your best judgment to provide as much context as possible. 

 

Acronyms, Songs, and Catchphrases 

This is good if you have a long list of terms that you have to remember, or a group of terms that are applicable for a certain exercise. These memorization techniques are called mnemonic devices, which basically means that you turn hard to remember information into something easy to remember.

Songs: If you are musically inclined, try creating a little diddy that can help you remember. For example, if you ever learned the states song in middle or high school, you might still be able to list the states in alphabetical order!

Catchphrases: If you can connect the idea to a silly, short phrase, you might be more likely to remember it. For example, when trying to remember rise over run to calculate slope, one professor said "you rise up out of your chair, and then you run out of here!" 

Acronyms: Acronyms are a memorization tool where you create a different phrase that has the same first letters of all the terms you have to memorize. For example, in MT everyone learns the phrase "can dead men vote twice at elections" when learning about changing from compass to true headings, and visa versa. The acronym CDMVT stands for the steps you need to take to do that, while the AE helps you format your problem related to east and west.