Remembering…

1. Remembering… Memorization Techniques that will work for you…

2. Introduction… • Unless you get sick or die, your brain never loses anything that goes into memory. • Forgetting is caused by not being able to retrieve it or not storing it properly. • Otherwise, it is always there.

3. Short-term & Long term Memory • Short-term memory is like a loading dock at HEB or Wal-Mart. The truck pulls in with new learning for you. • You are like the fork-lift that takes the new thing off the truck and puts it on the dock for a short time. • To keep it in long-term memory, you need to pick it up and put it in the warehouse where it is stored in an organized way until it is needed. • You need to remember where you put it so you can get it when you need it.

4. VCR3 • Visualizing: use your “mind’s eye” to see what you need to remember. • Concentrating: bring your mind into “focus” on it! • Relating: associate it with something you already know. • Repeating: keep saying it over and over to yourself. • Reviewing: keep going through it so that it sticks in your brain. Relate to prior knowledge Repeat & Review

5. Memory Devices:ways to remember… • General to Specific: get the big picture and then move to the details. • Make it Meaningful: the more important it is to you, the better you will remember it. • Exaggerate: make it bigger or fancier than it really is. Nobody will forget a Mermaid!

6. More memory tricks: • Create associations: make connections or links with things you already know. • Learn it actively: fight boredom while learning by acting out what you are learning. • Relax: the “smoother” you feel, the more information you will absorb. • Create pictures: draw diagrams or cartoons- be inventive

7. Make your memory work for you… • Recite and repeat: say it again and again out loud to send it through the ears to the brain. • Write it down: a physical act with a different way to the mind. • Short Term Memory Trap: the “loading dock” of the mind, review and repeat to move to “Long Term Storage” so you can use it. • Distribute Learning – break it into small pieces, don’t try to learn it all at once in one big chunk.

8. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it! • Watch your attitude – if you think what you’re learning is boring, you won’t remember it. • Use combinations: get both sides of your brain involved – sing the word while you read it. • Remember Something Else: if you can’t remember one thing, then think of something close. • Create a story: make up a strange one to memorize what you need.

9. Mnemonic Devices (pronounced nemonik) • Acronyms: first letter makes a word: CIA, FBI, NASA, NAFTA, IRS, GMC • Acrostics:sentences to remember letters George’s Eldest Oldest Grandfather Rode APig Home Yesterday • Rhymes & Songs: do a rap song, or a jingle, like they do on TV to get you to remember.

10. Cramming at the last minute… • Cramming is never a good way to remember, but sometimes you have no choice. Make it work by- • Depressurize – take it easy. • Know the type of test you’ll be taking. • Read it quick: H2FLIB – headings, highlight, first sentence, last sentence, indents and boxes. • Use your syllabus or study guide.

11. Don’t forget – remember! • Just like anything else - the more you train and exercise your mind and memory, the better it will work for you and serve you. • There is no substitute for effort and work.