THESE days, people are losing their memory power faster, especially students. Memory techniques are related to similar ways of understanding a difficult subject or a concept. With fierce competition amongst students to score higher and excel, schools have recognized the need for an in-built memory-training program, as a part of the regular curriculum. Memory training programs not only help the students perform well academically, but also assist them in all walks of life. Every student is a born genius. It’s not that they cannot perform well, it’s just that they are unaware of how to do it.
The art of recalling is more a product of self-belief than that of pain-staking rules and regulations. Students undergoing these courses have benefited in unlimited ways and have expanded their ability to remember things far better than they ever thought possible. “Social Science is no more a burden, and I am relaxed during my exams now because I know I can retain whatever I have read,” confesses a student of Class 11 at PS Senior Secondary School, who has undergone memory-building coaching.
Academies for sharpening one’s memory train students to become record-holders. Our brain has more than 100,000 million brain cells but it is estimated that an average individual uses only 5-10% of it. Even a genius like Einstein used only 15-18% of it. So it is really a skill that is developed and not something people are born with. Techniques for a sharp memory can be suggested as follow:
a) Natural Memory Technique:
It is a simple and effective practice. All you need to do is just recollect what you’ve done the entire day after every meal. Initially, it may not be as easy to recall, but gradually you will be able to recollect threadbare.
b) Mnemonics Technique:
Associating data with easy-to-remember concepts will help you remember it better. For instance, one can recollect the colours of the rainbow because of the acronym VIBGYOR associated with it. In a similar fashion of abbreviating, you can keep in mind all the topics of you text books.
c) Pegging technique:
This technique helps you remember a long list of things by linking the words to the numbers they rhyme with and by creating a vibrant image of the word. For instance the usual rhyming scheme is: 1 and bun, 2 and shoe, 3 and tree, 4 and paw, 5 and hive, 6 and bricks, 7 and heaven, 8 and gate, 9 and hen, 10 and den.
For example, you could remember the name of the Greek philosophers as:
1) Parmenides – a bun topped with grated yellow parmesan cheese.
2) Heraclitus – A shoe worn by Heracles (Greek Hercules) glowing with a bright light.
3) Empedocles – A tree from which the M-shaped Mcdonalds arches hang hooking up a bicle pedal.
d) Long Term Memory Technique:
In order to register whatever you have learnt till your annual exams. This is a necessary method. After you have finished studying for the day, review the same material:
o After 1 day
o After 1 week
o After 1 month
o After 3 months
o After 6 months
o Finally during your exams if you read about the secrets to having a great memory you will know, that we must take what we want to remember, make it outstanding using our imagination, associate it to something we already know and then condition its recall until we can’t get it wrong. “I realised that students in my class find it difficult to remember scientific terms, I applied the mnemonics technique and was surprised to see every student score better in the particular subject,” reveals Vice Principal of Convent Higher Education School.
e) Tips To Improve Your Memory Factor:
o Sip water during the course of studies to improve your concentration.
o Include vegetables like okra (lady finger) and Brahmi leaves in you diet.
o Enhance your memory capacity by including chess and puzzles in your fun activities.
o Take a ten-minute break every hour while studying for efficient retention.
o Switch subjects every two hours to prevent your mind from getting bored. This will also prevent you from over-burdening your memory with one subject.
o Sit straight with your feet on the floor (preferably a rough surface) and arms parallel.
o Pop in some potato chips and glucose to boost your energy.
o Register the notes in your subconscious while reading your lesson by scribbling the key points on a notepad
f) Don’t ever…
o Frequently change your study place. Stick to a particular room to help you mind be comfortable to a specific space.
o Avoid walking while studying to keep away from distraction.
o Listening to music, lying on the bed, chewing gum while studying will not help.
o Refrain from reading aloud as it results in energy loss. After you’re done with learning, review your notes. Don’t recall.