Memory Tips

A. Have a positive attitude and keep an open mind. You learn more easily what you enjoy. Try to enjoy learning all your subjects and each aspect of each subject
B. Try to approach each assignment with the objective of learning the concept rather than completing a paper to submit on time. Have high expectations of yourself that you will enjoy reading, writing, and learning something new.
C. Try to personalize the material; i.e., ask yourself how you are or have been involved in the material you are studying.

D. Try to categorize or organize ideas for comprehension and memory by selecting five to six major points about the topic. For example, create a map of a reading assignment by answering the following:

1. What is the major topic or thesis statement?
2. What are some possible ideas that may occur under this topic?
3. What are the major headings in the reading and how do they coincide with your original thoughts?
4. What are the major similarities and the major differences in what you read and what you thought before reading?
5. Can you recite the major new ideas/concepts in the reading?
6. Can you recall these major ideas/concepts in the reading during the
following week?
E. Try to make the material more meaningful for you by drawing pictures, talking about it with classmates, reciting to yourself, and writing notes for outlines.
F. Review learned material at least once a week for a short period of through your drawings or notes. Overlearning is a positive technique!
G. Success breeds success! The principles of learning and memorizing are the same among the different subjects. If you have been successful in learning and memorizing one subject, apply the same study techniques to one in which you are having difficulty.
H. Make music! Try to apply a favorite song or chant to the material being learned. The rhythm may aid later recall.