Important Memory Principles
To improve your memory, there are a number of principles you will want to use. By using these methods you will find that things are easier to remember, and you will be less prone to forgetting important dates, appointments, or facts. To remember something, you will want to first be interested in it. Your brain will place a priority on the information it stores. Things which are important will be stored first, while things which are not important may only be temporarily stored before it is discarded. If you want your brain to store information, you must be interested in the information.
The next thing you will want to analyze is your attitude. The way you feel about something will determine whether or not you will remember it. If you are positive about the things you want to learn, you will find that they are easier to remember. Your brain will quickly get rid of anything that is negative. Another factor you wil want to look at is the background of the information you wish to memorize. If you can make connections to the information you are trying to memorize, you will find that it is easy to remember. If you are a student in college, you will find that you process massive amounts of information.
While some of this information is relevant, much of it is not. You don’t have time to waste memorizing things that are not important. You will want to only place information in your long term memory that will be on exams. The best way to do this is to sift through large amounts of information, and only pick out the parts which are the most relevant. This will make it easier for your brain to place it in long term storage. You may also find it helpful to place information in categories. Your brain will process and store information in an organized manner. Because of this, listing your information in an organized way can make it easier to remember.
To enhance your memory, you will want to first enhance the connections between your neurons. One way you can do this is bey reciting information. If you say things out loud, the synaptic connections between your neurons will be made, and the information you receive can allow you to learn faster. It is also crucial that you learn how to visualize information. The human brain is designed to respond favorably to images. If you are able to create a mental pictures within your mind, you can tap into a different parts of your brain. When you listen to a lecture, you are receiving information in one form. Creating visual images will enhance your ability to learn.
Another principle which can help you enhance your memory is the use of associations. Your memory will be enhanced when you are able to associate information with data that is already stored in your long term memory. In the most basic sense, your memory is simply connections which are made by neurons. One thing you should determine when reading new information is how it relates to information you’ve already memorized. Once you’ve made a connection, it is important to give your brain time to store it. Helping your brain to store information is called consolidation.
One important principle of memory that you should be familiar with is called distributed practice. Distributed practice is a number of study periods which are held for short durations for a given period of time. Distributed practice should generally only last about three days. Distributed practice is a method which will allow your brain to reinforce the things you’ve learned. By using the principles of memory discussed in this article, you will enhance your memory in a way which will allow you to remember any information you want.
While these techniques are especially important for college students, it can be used by anyone who is interested in learning a specific subject. Mastering the use of your brain for memorizing important things will make your life a lot easier. You will be less prone to forgetting things, and you will also be able to master any subject that you are interested in. This will allow you to become an educating person, whether your have a college degree or not.