Short-term and long term memory - Information that we absorb must first pass through our short-term memory bank.  It becomes stored in long-term memory when information is absorbed as knowledge. This process is the key to retaining information.

___ Understand the information completely - It is much more difficult to learn and remember abstract information. Once we develop a good understanding of the material, our recall is sharper; and it becomes naturally easier to remember. 

___ Recite and review - By reciting and reviewing “fresh” information, we process and transfer it from short-term to our long-term memory bank.

___ Recall information as soon as you learn it - This is the fastest and easiest way to commit information to long-term memory.  It is very important to review and try to recall your notes the same day. Read, pause, and reflect about information you’re reading. 

___ Link information - Long-term memory has no limits; therefore we don’t have to be concerned with knowledge overload.  However, to improve recall, it is important to link and connect “newly” learned information with existing knowledge.

___ Organize thoughts - Like a shopper searching for an item in a grocery store, we will remember more easily, if we know it is a part of a group. We may that know the dairy group is in aisle seven or the bread group in aisle three.  That is why it is very important to organize our learning into categories that are easy to recognize and recall!

___ Write it down - It is amazing to watch some students who sit in class and take as few notes as possible.  It’s as though they had a video and tape recorder memory function working the whole time.  The same students who don’t take notes wonder why their memory fails them at exam time.  The truth is memories may fade, but ink does not!

___ Give yourself a practice test – Ask yourself a good series of questions while you are reading.  For example: Who are the main characters?  What are their roles?  What are the main events that took place in this chapter?  Questions will stimulate the memory.

___ Use mnemonics - Rhymes such as “Thirty days hath September”; will help you to remember the days of the month and so forth.  The best rhymes are rhymes you make up!

___ Use acronyms - Using common associations will help you to remember. For example, the letters in PEN can be used to recall the particles of an atom - proton, electron and neutron.

___ Use your learning style - Pictures, maps, diagrams, charts etc., can also help tremendously!

___ Sleep - It is very important to get adequate sleep.  Try reading a chapter in a book after not getting adequate sleep and then try to remember what you just read.  Most people, when tired, experience a sharp decrease in comprehension.  An awake, alert mind is ready to excel! 

___ Eat properly - A balanced diet is highly recommended. Excessive caffeinated drinks can cause you to feel jittery and sleepy over time.  Drinking adequate amounts of water helps to decrease the chances of dehydration, which can affect performance.   

___ Pay close attention - If you don’t pay close attention, you simply will not learn or understand.  Even a name can be quickly forgotten, if you do not listen attentively.

___ Learn key concepts and terms - Most material does not need to be memorized word-for-word.  For example, when reading history, select keys words and abbreviations such as - George Washington - 1st Pres. - John Adams - VP - etc.

___ Categorize - If you have a lot of material that you are trying to recall from memory, arrange it in smaller groups and file them in some similar groups.  For example when reading biology you can group sparrows, albatross, falcons under “birds” and trout, tuna and sardines under “fish” etc. Categorizing facts will help remember many details.  

___ Organize - This is similar to categorizing, but it can apply to many subjects. For example, if you want to recall names you can arrange them in alphabetical order.  If you are trying to recall historical data you can list events in chronological order. 

___ Associations - Unusual and funny associations are usually the most effective.  For example if you need to remember a name such as Dr. Wattenbarger, you may try to associate it with hamburgers and think “What-a burger!”  Yes, it sounds silly, but it works! 

___ Review – This is essential for storage in our long-term memory bank.  If you are trying to memorize several names before a party, write them down and read them as frequently as possible.  Write the names on index cards and have your friends test you.  Place memo notes on the mirror. These strategies can help you to remember.

___ Recite - As you read information, recite it several times.  You can start to eliminate chunks of information when you remember clearly after testing yourself several times. For example, if you are reading index cards, you can start off with fifty and eliminate the ones you know.

___ Recall - Talk with a friend about the information that you are trying to recall.  If you still don’t understand something, try to dialogue with an expert on the subject.  With a few verbal clues, most people are able to recall and reach a high level of understanding.

Note: These techniques are very important to master. However, you may still have difficulty recalling names and events. You should further discuss this with a mentor and perhaps a medical professional.