9 Ways to Improve Your Memory for Written Exams
Studying can be hard, especially if you’re dealing with complex textbooks and specialized terminology. Every student struggles from time to time, trying to retain as much information as possible. We’ve made a list of 9 techniques that can improve your memory.
- Organize your materials and manage your time
Before you start studying, organize your materials, notes, textbooks and any other academic material that you have. You can organize the information alphabetically or by their degree of difficulty. Also, organizing your time can be efficient too because you won’t be stressed all the time. You can write on a calendar, agenda or you can download an app in order to keep track of your work. This way, you can plan when to study, so you won’t feel tensioned about not having enough time to revise.
- Visualize the information
Another way to improve your memory is to try visualizing it. In other words, you can draw charts, pictures, diagrams or any type of drawing that can help you retain the information better. You can understand an abstract concept if you’re visualizing it on the paper.
- Chew gum
Many specialists are still debating the fact that chewing gum can improve your memory. You can chew gum when you are trying to absorb new information. Some experts claim that chewing gum can boost your concentration. How can this be possible? First, chewing gum can improve the hippocampus functions, a part of the brain that is in charge of the memory. On the other hand, the levels of oxygen are raised when we are chewing gum, and this allows us to be more attentive. Also, you can boost your auditory and visual memory during this activity. Additionally, if you learn something new while you are chewing gum, you will remember it only for 30 minutes.
- Sleep
It’s important to get a good night’s sleep before an exam because it has a significant influence on your performance. Sleeping helps your brain to absorb a newly learned piece of information. The specialists from a study made at Harvard Medical School concluded that sleep boosts the long-term relational memory and the short-term memory. So, try to sleep at least 8 hours a night. Besides, if you feel tired, you will have to try harder to remember all that you’ve learned. Additionally, taking naps improves your memory too.
- Method of Loci
People have been practicing this method since the period of Ancient Greece. Loci means “places” or “location” and this method implies the fact that people remember the places that are well-known for them. If you want to use this approach, think of a place that’s familiar to you. For instance, think about your room and visualize it, along with the furniture. Now, put the piece of information that you want to remember in an area of your room. This way, you will associate the information with a familiar place. When you will need that information, all you have to do is visualize your room and search for the location where you have put it.
- Find exercises for your brain
It’s important to keep your brain trained because it can produce nerve connections which are good for the memory. It’s not that hard to exercise your brain. You can do puzzles, you can complete Sudoku or crosswords or play chess. It depends on what you like. Also, improving your mental skills can boost your memory. If you want to learn a new mental skill, you can try to play a musical instrument, or you can start learning a new language.
- Read out loud
There are 50% chances that you will retain something if you read it out load. So, next time you’re studying for an exam, try this method. But do this only if you’re alone in the room. You don’t want to disturb other persons.
- Brain food
There are foods that can stimulate the activities from your brain, therefore improving your memory. Many studies have concluded that eating berries can have a positive effect on your memory if you eat them on a regular basis. Moreover, you can consume foods that are rich in antioxidants, so your brain will be able to produce new brain cells, and it will be protected. Such foods are spinach, blueberries or broccoli.
- Find out what learning style fits you
Not all people can learn the same. So what works for your colleagues may not work for you. If you didn’t know, there are three learning styles: kinesthetic, auditory or visualizing style. You can find online tests that can help you determinate which one of these is better for you.
You can try these methods if you want to have an improved memory. Besides, you need to avoid thinking that your memory isn’t good. Anyone can work in order to boost their memory.
