Psychology2010’s Studying Tip #8: An Effective Strategy For Memorization For Academic Exams
In the following study guild, I discuss one very effective way to memorize a list of simple objects. Then I talk about how to apply this strategy to memorizing the contents in an entire lecture for school. And in the future, hopefully, provide additional guidance on memorizing an entire course. All in which to provide excellence in academics.
To start off, what is memorization?
To keep it simple, memorization is the encoding of information into our brain that later can be effectively retrieved.
What enhances memorization?
By having many retrieval cues, memory can be enhanced. Retrieval cues are things that remind and help retain information. The more retrieval cues, the better the recall. For example, let’s say you’ve just met an acquaintance at a park. She tells you her name. What is going to help you remember her name better? Repeating her name to yourself or remembering what she wore?
Suprisingly, it is the latter. Remembering what she wore, the colour of her jacket, the dimple on her cheeks, her height being 6 foot tall, that she said she was an Art student, the last sentence before she utters her name are going to help you remember the name better. This is because of the increased number of retrieval cues. Retrieval cues provides additional means to help trace information. This mean is your tool and trail of thoughts. Hence, focusing entirely on repeating what she said is not going to help, because it has no retrieval cues. The more retrieval cues, the stronger the memory. And the more varied, the more keys.
So what is the method I am talking about to better memorization?
Having more retrieval cues is the underlying principle to better memory and thus I talk about it. This strategy I will be talking about in the next 3 paragraphs are ways to increasing retrieval cues when it comes to school work and education.
How it works?
Remember the quote I posted a while back in my tumblr? Here it is: “Memorization is like painting. Paint and elaborate picture and you will remember it for a very long time.” Essentially, it is a strategy for increasing retrieval cues. Let us demonstrate how it works:
Task: Memorize the following list of items and repeat them in that sequence:
List: Cat, Cross Bow, Tree, Nest, Alligator, 86.
Step 1: Create a painting.
This means draw a picture. In this case, a script, a sequence of events. The more detailed, dynamic, fluid the script, the better the memory.
For example, to memorize the following list, first picture a cat. Second, picture the cat holding the crossbow. Third, picture the cat moving up to a yellow and L shaped-tall tree. Fourth, the cat looks up and sees a bird nest on the fourth branch. Fifth, cat notices alligator crawling in the distance towards it. Last, the alligator has the number 86 inscribed on its tail.
Step 2: Refine Script
The more elaborate, the better the memory. This falls on three criteria-details, dynamic, and fluidity. Let’s go over how to do each.
Details is describing the object, giving it characteristics. In the above script, the example is calling the tree L-shaped, tall and green. Picturing a yellow and L-shaped tall tree is better than picturing a a regular tree. It stands out.
Dynamic is giving actions to the objects. In the above script, the example is the cat looks up.
Fluidity is the flow of the sequence. A good flow is easier to remember. A good flow is how well one event leads to another. In the above script, the example is cat notices alligator alligator crawling in the distance towards it. This is good flow because the cat is linked to the alligator.
And as you can see, scripts can be refined. The cat can be described. The alligator can attack. etc. Hence, refine the script with details, dynamic, and fluidity to better remember.
Step 3- Repeat Script Mentally & Write out the list as is
Hence, “Memorization is a painting. Paint an elaborate picture and you will remember it.”
Now let’s get to the good stuff.
How can I memorize an entire lecture?
Often, exams test our ability to recall information. In other words, exams test memorization. Memorization works hand-in-hand with how well you learn a topic. This being true for written type questions. A link to one of my previous post on this topic. Link. Therefore, have an outstanding memory through reading this study guild and applying the strategy to get the A’s you have always wanted.
Taking the strategy to the next level
School topics are a lot abstract than the simple list that we had to memorize a little earlier on. However, abstracts are only abstracts if you don’t give arepresentation to it.
Lecture points to remember:
Point 1. Neurons are the representational medium in the brain.
Point 2. Different information are represented in different parts of the brain. Example of different information: Vision, body parts, emotions, self-concept(age,sex, height, hobbies, morals, beliefs etc), pain, language, math.
Point 3. The brain is flexible in terms of where stuff can be stored.
Applying the strategy
Step 1: Create a picture
Here’s my painting. I picture myself standing in the top of a cliff. In the distance I hear the roar of the sea pushing against the cliff underneath.
For point 1: Looking at myself from above, I zoom in until I reach my brain. Deeper and deeper until I see neurons. Picture neuron.
For point 2: Then I zoom around the brain and see different sectors. Miniature neuron workers with helmets working on each. Each worker boss were responsible for different tasks. The neuron with the blue helmet was responsible for storing facts related to self-concept. The red with emotions. The yellow with math. The purple with language.
For point 3: However, some of the employees of the yellow worker are working with the blue workers.
Step 2: Refine Script
Step 3: Repeat Script Mentally and Write Out the Key Points
In conclusion, the following study guild explains better memorization in terms of having multiple retrieval cues, and that for enhanced exam performance, visual scripts are strategies to increasing retrieval cues. The goal of the study guild has been to provide readers with knowledge about how memory works and one simple yet effective technique to get the A’s on exams.
Hopefully I’ve achieved that with this effort.
Sincerely,
Psychology2010 from psychology2010.tumblr.com, recommend me for education with the following link by clicking “here”. Thanks!
© 2011 by Psychology2010 (Tai)
Very old post. Don’t judge.
