Which approaches help you more when memorizing new material?

[previous_user]

For example, do textual associations work better for you, or do you prefer structured tables?”

 

[fattymeatysardine]

Associations are definitely one of the most powerful ways of memorizing. Personally, my secret is to take a picture or screenshot of some material such as a page from a book and load it in a jigsaw puzzle program. 100-150 pieces works just fine. Works like a charm

 

[TBRS1]

I make a web that ties new stuff to old stuff in a relational manner (i.e.: how do all these things relate to things I already understand?).

If it's just some junk I have to remember long enough to take a test, I use mnemonics - turn it into a song that can be sung to the tune of "Mary had a little lamb".

 

[Masked Man]

I have different ways of remembering things.

When I was taking my medical classes, I would remember the names and locations of bones and muscles by being familiar with their Latin names. Example: vastus lateralis (the largest muscle of the quadriceps) basically translates into "big side." So it's the big side muscle of your thigh.

And other things I just try to associate it with something else. I can't think of a good example at the moment but when I do I'll post it.

EDIT: This is not a great example of remembering through association but this is the only thing I have been able to think of. So I have a lot of trouble remembering left from right. I will often misname them. It's embarrassing. The way I remember which is which is that I "write" with my "right" hand.

 

[Jumpinbare]

Repetition, repetition, repetition. I write down what I want to memorize over and over. And over.

 

[vergil96]

I make notes aiming to fully understand the material and organise it. Writing the notes by hand helps with learning. When learning for a test, I repeat the process of note taking several times

Vocabulary is a but different - in addition to the above and writing the words with meanings many times, I try to repeat series of words while not looking at them

 

[Crabcore]

Doing anything hands-on seals the deal for me. Anything that can be turned into a project or activity helps me to solidify things. Likewise, if we don't continue to use something, we tend to just kind of 'lose it' over time anyway, so being able to put something into ongoing practice tends to keep it fresh.

 

[AspieChris]

Visual and textural in conjunction with the information. 2+2 goes best with the teaching AND a bag of oranges to count by hand.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

I just read and memorize, happens naturally eidetic memory, all my siblings have this type of memory probably explains why I do not watch movies twice of read books multiple times.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

My thing was making flashcards. Question on one side, answer on the other.

As a student, I find that many textbooks will have a series of questions and/or key points at the end of each chapter. I will use them to make my flashcards. I like colored pens or fine-point markers, 3x5 index cards. After a while I got pretty good at making up my own test questions.

I am not a sit at the desk or table sort of student. I can't study like that...my mind will drift off...or I will fall asleep. I scan the textbook and then write down the most important key points or facts in the form of a test question on a flashcard. My mind works best while I am on my feet. The flashcards work great while riding in a car, bus, or train...sitting in front of the TV...walking around the house. It's amazing how many facts you can memorize in a short period of time.

I am not kidding...I had 2 large plastic totes full of them by the end of a few years...several thousand...maybe over 10,000 cards. Not every class you take is about memorization...but a lot of them are.

 

[Dagan]

I can recall what I've read, seen, heard and experienced first hand most times. Whatever my level of focus at the time determines how clearly I recall things, of course. I also remember a ton of things that I wish I could forget, though. It's a curse more than a blessing at times.

I do make lists and outlines quite a bit. I record myself playing instruments and singing, so as to not forget a sudden spark of creativity (just in case), but then, more often than not, I don't need them to remind me. It's weird.

 

[Aspychata]

If it's very dry material not friendly to association, l will write it out, or read it outloud to myself, and try to visualize it at the same time since l am more of a visual learner. Or find the main points, and remember the details around those exact points, my mind likes organizing the details then l remember more.

 

[Judge]

Funny to recall in college how some genuinely advocated drinking one beer during intense studying.

Then to have one beer just before an exam.

Can't say I ever tried it, but for some reason it always was in the back of my mind.

 

[Outdated]

Funny to recall in college how some genuinely advocated drinking one beer during intense studying.
Then to have one beer just before an exam.

Outback Australian Primary School.

 

[grommet]

For example, do textual associations work better for you, or do you prefer structured tables?”

Fun helps me most. If I am enjoying myself I want to know and it sticks in my brain more. I try forcing myself to learn things I should know but it will not work.

 

[JayLapointe]

My thing was making flashcards. Question on one side, answer on the other.

I am also a fan of making flashcards and I am currently going through a small totebox worth of about 500 or so I've made for a course I'm currently taking. I don't review them as much as I likely should but I find the process of making them cements most of it into memory.

The other thing that I have found and this is just a focus thing, I get very easily distracted when trying to study so I now put up a youtube video of someone else studying. They aren't speaking, just a bit shuffling papers and highlighting. But they have the focus of superhero's when it comes to studying. The virtual body double just works for me and I zone right in. There are a bunch of Pomedoro study method videos on youtube. Pomedoro method is just 50 minutes studying then a 10 minute break, repeat.

 

[the_tortoise]

Neither.

If I don't have mental imagery I will never remember.

 

[AspieChris]

Pick a favorite song and rewrite the lyrics to explain the thing you’re trying to memorize. Then memorize the song with the new lyrics.

I still remember every word from a couple of those from decades ago

 

[Shevek]

I like all my new facts to cross-check with older memories. If I think an isolated fact will be regularly useful, appreciating that seems to glue it in.

 

[grommet]

I am trying to learn computers and how to use Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. I have played it a lot but it seems like I am always at the beginning, the depth of complication to the game seems to go on and on. That is besides just flying the planes.

Learning about how computers work has been pretty bad. To make things work I have to know about file paths, I cannot memorize them or figure them out. My friend who I play MSFS with reminds me to have fun. That cures me, I feel better again then after a while I need a reminder. I am not interested in computers or settings in games. Learning something that is not fun is the hardest. Learning about something I love is super easy.