When you’re trying to remember things, it can be challenging. How do you cram as much information as possible into your brain? It might help to keep a written record of what you’re learning. But even if you have a hard time remembering things for other reasons, memorizing large chunks of information might not be the best idea. In the long run, it could actually backfire and make you forget things sooner. So how can you learn more about memorizing more easily and faster? These 9 different ways will help:
Memorization techniques
You can’t just memorize new facts by rote. You have to concentrate on the information, learn it quickly, and get it into long-term memory. The more advanced you get in your studies, the harder it will be to remember new information. This is why you have to memorize basics first. You can also try to memorize words that you’ve never seen before. If you’ve only heard the word “squirrel” once, you could try to “see” it by writing it down. The more detailed your knowledge is, the easier it will be to remember.
How to memorize faster and easier for exams
1. Train your brain
As you learn new information, make a note of where it’s stored in your brain. You can do this by taking an exam on the spot and writing down what you’re thinking and feeling as you answer the questions. This will help you understand how your brain works and how you can use that information to your advantage.
2. Make research a habit
Even if you don’t end up using what you memorized in a particular lesson, it will help you to learn more and retain information better if you doodle or write about what you learn. It doesn’t matter if you doodle a word or write about what you learn, it will help your brain to associate the information you’re learning with concrete things. This is a great way to make new information more accessible to your memory and make sure you don’t forget about it.
3. Build muscle memory
When you learn a new skill, such as how to ride a bike, you don’t just memorize the steps and then forget about it. You actually keep practicing it until it’s second nature. The same goes for learning a new language. You listen to audio tracks while you read the words, and when a word or phrase sounds familiar, you remember it without looking it up. You can also try meditating to strengthen your brain and make new connections.
4. Learn a language
The best way to learn any language is to learn it a second time from a native speaker. Even if you don’t end up using what you learned in a particular lesson, it will show up in your vocabulary later on when you start speaking the language in a conversation. You can also look up words you’re unsure of in a dictionary and get help from the written entries. This is also a great way to make new vocabulary easy to remember.
5. Set goals and learn how to reach them
You don’t have to use what you memorized in each lesson, but it will help if you have something to focus on. If you have a test coming up, try to memorize as many facts as possible. If you’re having a party and want to play a card game with your friends, try to memorize the rules for that game. It doesn’t matter what you do, just make sure you remember what you did and why you did it.
6. Play games or do something that’s fun for brain cells
Brain training apps are nice, but they won’t help you if you don’t want to do it. If you’re looking for things to do that will challenge your brain, try playing a sport or doing something that’s fun. This will engage your brain and make it work harder so you’ll be able to retain information better.
7. Keep a record of what you learn and use it as motivation
As you get better at memorizing, you’ll start to notice that it’s more than just learning facts. You’ll start to see the connections between things and remember the relationships between things. This is what we call “remembering what you learn”. When you have a “long-term” memory, you can easily remember what you learned in a shorter period of time. As you keep learning, you’ll get faster at this and you’ll be able to remember things that you can’t seem to forget.