The difference between passing and failing can very often be all about what you can remember - not what you know. As a result, the focus on being able to remember lots of information is absolutely crucial to your success.
So why is it that we can often remember seemingly useless information (like the name of our friend's cat) but when we have a test or assessment coming up and we really want to imprint information into our brain we often end up retaining very little of it? Well, it's all about understanding how our memory is designed to work.
The fact is that we all have a perfect memory and it functions exactly the way it is designed to function - except that we don't take the time to understand how it works.
For one reason or another, we all seem to think that by constantly repeating information to ourselves we will imprint the information into our memory. This works occasionally, but it's clearly not the best approach and it usually indicates that we don't understand our memory at all.
Accessing the amazing power of your memory is about understanding how it works and then using that information to ensure you can remember whatever you want to remember.
There are many techniques you can use to improve your memory recall but today's lesson is about just one of them - the "What's in it for me" method. This method states that the more you can make something relate to you personally, the more about it you will be able to remember.
It's a simple idea with a simple execution. Your memory will create more memory traces, which in turn increases your memory recall, when it knows that what you are trying to remember is important to you in some way. And how does it know that? Well, it's when it's all about you.
When a piece of data from the world is relevant to you and impacts you in some way, your ability to remember it (and remember it in specific detail) is drastically increased.
Don't believe me? Think about it. What things do you remember? Those things that have some direct impact on your life (like what time you need to meet your friends at the movies this weekend) or those things that have zero impact on your life (like your mom's favorite ice cream flavor?) You remember those things, people, places, prices, products and details of anything that is going to impact your life in some way.
This recall doesn't happen consciously - it all occurs without thought. You didn't have to do anything special to remember the information. The information was already there wasn't it? You just remembered it without any effort. So, given that we now know this method works, the real question is what do you need to do to apply this method to your studies? Let's look at some basic examples.
In economics you learn about trends. Trends impact purchase power of individuals. Purchase power impacts your ability to go and that new pair of shoes you really want. So, does it make it easier to understand economic trends when you understand how it impacts you?
If you are learning about other cultures (for example) you can simply compare their culture to your own. In what ways does the culture differ from your own? In what ways does it match? In what ways is it kind of similar but not really? Asking yourself these questions may seem silly but the more questions you can ask that are actually about you, the more you will remember.
What about names and dates? Well they're easy to remember when given the right context. Do the names mean anything to you? Do you know anyone who has the same name? Does the name remind you of anything you like or dislike? Do you like or hate the name? What about the dates. Do the dates relate to you in any way? Did anything significant happen to you on or around the dates? Did anything else happen to you (or even anyone you know) around that date that could trigger a memory? It should also be noted that you can just make up fake reasons to remember the details (such as, "Oh yes on that date I was riding a flying pig all the way to the moon") and it will still help you remember it. Why? If you create the memory trace in your mind, your memory recall doesn't know the difference; it just knows it's all about you!
There are many ways for you to improve your memory recall. The "What's in it for me" approach is just one. But it's one that is easy to use and it really works. Identify what you need to remember and then make it about it you. You will be very surprised at what happens next. Good luck!
So why is it that we can often remember seemingly useless information (like the name of our friend's cat) but when we have a test or assessment coming up and we really want to imprint information into our brain we often end up retaining very little of it? Well, it's all about understanding how our memory is designed to work.
The fact is that we all have a perfect memory and it functions exactly the way it is designed to function - except that we don't take the time to understand how it works.
For one reason or another, we all seem to think that by constantly repeating information to ourselves we will imprint the information into our memory. This works occasionally, but it's clearly not the best approach and it usually indicates that we don't understand our memory at all.
Accessing the amazing power of your memory is about understanding how it works and then using that information to ensure you can remember whatever you want to remember.
There are many techniques you can use to improve your memory recall but today's lesson is about just one of them - the "What's in it for me" method. This method states that the more you can make something relate to you personally, the more about it you will be able to remember.
It's a simple idea with a simple execution. Your memory will create more memory traces, which in turn increases your memory recall, when it knows that what you are trying to remember is important to you in some way. And how does it know that? Well, it's when it's all about you.
When a piece of data from the world is relevant to you and impacts you in some way, your ability to remember it (and remember it in specific detail) is drastically increased.
Don't believe me? Think about it. What things do you remember? Those things that have some direct impact on your life (like what time you need to meet your friends at the movies this weekend) or those things that have zero impact on your life (like your mom's favorite ice cream flavor?) You remember those things, people, places, prices, products and details of anything that is going to impact your life in some way.
This recall doesn't happen consciously - it all occurs without thought. You didn't have to do anything special to remember the information. The information was already there wasn't it? You just remembered it without any effort. So, given that we now know this method works, the real question is what do you need to do to apply this method to your studies? Let's look at some basic examples.
In economics you learn about trends. Trends impact purchase power of individuals. Purchase power impacts your ability to go and that new pair of shoes you really want. So, does it make it easier to understand economic trends when you understand how it impacts you?
If you are learning about other cultures (for example) you can simply compare their culture to your own. In what ways does the culture differ from your own? In what ways does it match? In what ways is it kind of similar but not really? Asking yourself these questions may seem silly but the more questions you can ask that are actually about you, the more you will remember.
What about names and dates? Well they're easy to remember when given the right context. Do the names mean anything to you? Do you know anyone who has the same name? Does the name remind you of anything you like or dislike? Do you like or hate the name? What about the dates. Do the dates relate to you in any way? Did anything significant happen to you on or around the dates? Did anything else happen to you (or even anyone you know) around that date that could trigger a memory? It should also be noted that you can just make up fake reasons to remember the details (such as, "Oh yes on that date I was riding a flying pig all the way to the moon") and it will still help you remember it. Why? If you create the memory trace in your mind, your memory recall doesn't know the difference; it just knows it's all about you!
There are many ways for you to improve your memory recall. The "What's in it for me" approach is just one. But it's one that is easy to use and it really works. Identify what you need to remember and then make it about it you. You will be very surprised at what happens next. Good luck!
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HelpMeToStudy.org is the best online resource for learning new study skills, transforming your study habits and finding the best study tips available. We will help change the way you think about study - and even better - we will show you how to study effectively: How To Study Effectively | Memory Training
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