15 Ways To Improve Your Memory Using Some Simple Study Methods

15 Ways To Improve Your Memory Using Some Simple Study Methods

Do you want to remember more during your study sessions? Here are 15 simple and effective study approaches to increase your memory capacity, develop your focus, and make studying easier.

Introduction

Do you ever read and study for hours with your textbooks in hand, only to lose everything once it comes time to recall the information? You are certainly not the only one!

Many students and individuals experience memory lapses, attention issues, or problem concentrating when studying or working. The best part is, to improve your memory, it is not just about having a big or "genius brain," it is very possible you are just not using the proper way to study.

Research and science have demonstrated time and again that you can train your memory like you can train your brain and your muscles. Once you've established and are using memory strategies that will boost your memory, studying will become much more effective without having to endlessly reread the same notes over and over.

In this article, we will cover 10 straightforward study techniques that do work for you. The techniques you will learn are proven study techniques and approaches supported by psychology, neuroscience, and by students like yourself. If you are preparing for exams, even learning new life skill, or just want to keep your brain sharp, these study tips will help you remember more, not stress, and study smarter.

1. ActiRecallve

Active recall may be the most tried and true study technique. Instead of passively rereading or highlighting notes, actively test yourself.

Here is how it works:

Read a section of your textbook.

Close the textbook, and recall what you can about the main points without looking.

Write them down or say them out loud.

Why it works: By actively recalling information rather than passively reviewing it, you strengthen the memory pathways that allow you to recall information. It's just like training a muscle — when you do it again and again you get stronger.

Pro Tip: If you want to make it more interactive, try flashcards or active recall apps like Anki or Quizlet.

2. Spaced Repetition Method

Have you noticed how fast you forget everything you crammed the night before an exam? It’s because memory works on a curve and fades unless there is a review after intervals. The spaced repetition method avoids this process.

Instead of trying to review everything all at once, you review spaced out:

Review the section again after 1 day

Review the section again after 3 days

Review the section again after 1 week.

Review the section again after 1 month.

This method for reviewing study material has been proven effective through science for long-term memory retention.

3. Teach someone Else

The "Feynman Technique" as it is named after the Nobel-Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, is one of the most effective strategies for improving understanding and memory.

Here's how it works:

Choose a topic you are studying.

Try to explain it to a friend, sibling, or even to yourself out loud using simple to understand terms.

If you cannot, study that part again.

Teaching forces you to simplify and to help you truly understand the concept, which also enhances memory.

4. Use Mnemonics and Memory Devices

Mnemonics are very simple strategies that will help you remember complex information. They work because they link new knowledge to already familiar patterns, which makes it easier to recall.

Examples:

Acronym: PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) to remember the order of operations in math.

Rhyme: "I before e except after c."

Imagery Association: Visualize silly or weird images to remember terms.

Why it works: Our brains can remember stories and imagery far better than plain facts.

5. Use Short Study Sessions (Pomodoro Technique)

Long study sessions can actually impede your memory since fatigue reduces one's ability to focuse. The Pomodoro Technique allows you to study more smartly:

Study for 25 minutes.

Take a 5-minute break.

Do the cycle 4 times, and then take a longer 20-minute break.

These short, exercises focus your attention and allow your mind to process on what it has learned.

Keyword Tip: Many students search for "best way to focus when studying" and this is invaluable.

6. Use Mind Maps to Organize Information

Mind mapping offers a creative way to organize your information for easy retrieval. Mindmapping starts with a central topic and your ideas branch out as keywords or images or diagrams.

Here is how it helps:

The visual structure helps with remembering complicated things. Colors and visuals stimulate the brain's creative side.

You can visually see how one idea places in the context of all the other ideas it is connected to.

Mind mapping works especially well for subjects like history, biology, or literature where you need spur-of-the-moment information and lots of interrelated knowledge.

7. Practice Retrieval Under Exam Conditions

Just reviewing your notes is not enough; you need to practice retrieval when you are pressured. This is why practicing several mock tests and practicing past papers is so useful.

Steps:

Find or make practice questions.

Do them without notes with a timer.

Review mistakes and repeat.

This exercise teaches your brain to retrieve information quickly and accurately, similar to how this will be in an actual examination.

8. Use Multiple Learning Styles

Everyone learns differently, but incorporating various styles introduces additional memory.

Experiment with:

Visual learning (diagrams, charts, videos)

Auditory learning (lectures, podcasts)

Kinesthetic learning (writing notes by hand, using motions to remember)

By using more senses, you are strengthening memory from several perspectives.

Example: In order to remember anatomy, draw out a diagram (visual), explain verbally (auditory), and write notes down (kinesthetic).

9. Be Healthy: Sleep, Nutrition, and Exercise

Memory is not simply a matter of studying, but your lifestyle matters too. Your brain is an organ, and it requires both rest and fuel to operate effectively.

Sleep: When you sleep and enter into the deep sleep stage, your brain consolidates memories while sleeping. Sleep well! It is widely accepted that you should aim for between 7-9 hours of sleep per day.

Nutrition: Eat the foods that are good for your brain! These are foods like; nuts, fish, blueberries, and dark chocolate.

Exercise: Moving the body causes blood to flow to the brain. Then exercise helps improve memory.

The biggest mistake students make is thinking that by not sleeping and only cramming they will be able to do well on an exam. A healthy routine will help you remember more.

10. Stay Consistent and Avoid Cramming

Cramming for an exam might help you survive the test, but it will not help you build engrams to remember long-term. The real secret is consistency.

Suggestions to help you stay consistent:

Create a daily or weekly study schedule.

Create smaller chunks of content for each subject.

Review regularly – study notes in class to practice spaced repetition.

Don't forget! Studying smart is more effective than studying for long hours. A little bit every day beats studying for 10 hours in the night before the exam.

Bonus Memory-Enhancing Tips

Here are some additional quick tips to make studying even easier:

Study in the same location. Your memory is tied to your environment.

Use background music while you study. Calm, instrumental music will help you to focus.

Limit your distractions. Turn off your phone notifications while you study.

Practice mindfulness. Even meditating for just 10 minutes prior to studying can help your focus and memory.

Conclusion

Increasing your memory is not about having some sort of “photogenic brain” when you were born. It is about applying some smart study strategies that follow the processes by which our brains work effectively.

If you follow through with the strategies of active recall, spaced repetition, and teaching other people, while taking care of your physical well-being, you will see your studying become more productive and with less difficulty.

Next time you sit down to study, include these 10 mindset testing memory strategies as your study strategies. You will notice you are not only recalling and retaining more information, you are more relaxed and more confident in learning.

Remember - Study smarter, not harder, and your memory will thank you.