If you are a college student it is likely that you are going to have to memorize at some point in your college career. Although I strongly advocate for understanding the material, you will take some classes that is comprised primarily of definitions and trivial content which requires memorization. I have outlined some key points to help the memorization process go just a little bit smoother and faster. So please, keep reading if you want to find out how to memorize faster before your next test!
Prepare
If you are wanting to memorize faster it will require you to be prepared. Preparation includes having all of your study material accessible and organized in a manner that works best for your learning style. If you are a visual learning then colour coding notes will help you memorize faster, but ultimately this is a step that should be done before you actually sit down and start studying. I like to have my notes organized in a specific way to make the process far less daunting.
I organize my notes by topic, then by chapter. If I am feeling particularly like an ambitious student then I will have a section of just vocabulary also (but this is only on my good days).
Preparation also includes preparing your brain for studying. After all, having the right mindset is essential to effective study sessions. The best way to do this is to ensure you are in a quiet environment, focused, and ready to get to work!
Memorize in Chunks
I bet there is a lot of information you have to memorize for your test so help yourself out a little and break the material up into little chunks. Rather than memorizing an entire concept break it down into bite sized concepts to help your brain retain the information better. For example, if you need to memorize a list of ten different things first work on memorizing 3, then 5, then 7, and finally 10.
It is also beneficial to chunk information based on idea and explanation. What I mean by this is to first work on memorizing the key ideas such as the proponents of historical contributions, or the names of organs. After you have the key words memorized then work on memorizing the explanations or definitions that go along with each of them. This ensures you know the “big” ideas, and you are better equipped to then further your understanding after this point.
Long lists are also tough to memorize but using the first letter of each word helps! To put this into perspective i’ll give you an example from my child psychology class I am currently studying for.
Source: Child Development (9th Edition)The definition of child development is the field of study that examines the processes that govern the appearance and growth of:
1. Children’s physical structures
2. Psychological traits
3. Behaviour patterns
4. Ways of adapting to the demands of life.
after reading over the list I write down the first letter of each number. Then, I fill in the rest.
1. C____________________
2. P____________________
3. B____________________
4. W____________________
Basically, doing it this way I only have to memorize C, P, B, W and I let my brain fill in the blanks. This is so much easier than memorizing all of the long phrases at once. Using key letters is a great way to remember exhaustive lists and explanations!
Pull out your favourite tricks
Utilizing mnemonics, phrases, acronyms, or any other trick is extremely effective when it comes to memorizing. Giving your brains some way to relate the key ideas to the specific details helps speed up the process.
When going through my notes I find it beneficial to highlight only the key words of definitions. That way I only have to remember 5 key words instead of fifteen and I am able to throw in the filler words such as: and, that, are, of, etc., to form a complete sentence.
Say it out loud & write it down
There is a difference between silently reading over your notes and verbally saying them out loud. When reading in your head it is far easier for your mind to wander and not stay totally focused. Try reading your notes out loud and listen to what the sentence sounds like. Listen to the key words, and pick up on if you are just simply saying the words or if you understand the context behind them.
Additionally, I write down all the information after saying it out loud. In the example above I would first say the definition of child development out loud then, I would write it down from memory. From doing this you recall the information using two different methods!
Move around
Although there have been articles written on the benefits of studying in one particular location consistently, it is also helpful to move around while studying.
Trying walking around and repeating your notes out loud.
In case you are worried about being “that person” ya’know “that weirdo in the library” because you are walking around studying just remember how awesome you are going to do on this test.
When studying for long durations of time I change up my study location. I do this every few hours to give myself a change in scenery. It helps my brain refocus and helps me get as much done as I possibly can. The move from one location to the next around campus also provides me with a much needed study break and gets my body moving a bit more. Sometime this switch in study placement is as simple as moving to the next table over in the library, or sometimes I move from the library to the campus coffee shop, or to another study room.
Related: The effects of environmental contexts on remembering
Recall
This is the #1 key to memorizing faster! Recall is what you have to do on a real test, so put yourself in that position while studying. After reading over your notes try to recall what you just read. This is where chunking becomes very helpful. Only read over a few ideas at a time. After reading them do not look back at your notes! Instead, try to recall the information on your study notes. To make this as efficient as possible ensure you actively read over your notes. Actively reading means you read attentively and focused specifically on the topic.
There you have it, easy and effective tips to help you memorize faster! Be sure to let me know if these help you on any of your tests.
Happy studying!