Study Skills: Improve Your Memory
By Maria Gracia
You are busy and you have tons of things to do. How can you possibly remember it all?
Having a sharp memory recall can be as simple as finding ways to help jog your memory throughout the day. Here are 10 quick ideas:
- Write it down. With the amount of things you have to remember in any given day, why should you try to stuff it all into your memory bank? When you want to remember something, the very best thing to do is write it down. Then, when you need to recall it, it will be there for you in an instant.
- Keep it together. When you write down things you want to remember, keep them in one consistent place. Otherwise, you’re going to spend a lot of time looking for your notes.
- Maintain good health. Eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and exercise. These are all important for your memory, staying focused and being alert.
- Record your thoughts. Sometimes you might want to remember something, but it’s impossible for you to write it down, such as when you’re driving. A little hand held tape recorder is a wonderful gadget to carry around with you and record your thoughts, or your parking space number, or a phone number you see on a billboard.
- Call yourself. If you’re at school or work, and you want to do something when you arrive home, call your answering machine and leave yourself a message. When you get home, you’ll listen to your message and remember exactly what you wanted to do.
- Think positive. If you keep saying you have a bad memory, you’ll probably continue to have a bad memory. It’s important to have a motivated, I CAN remember attitude.
- Send yourself email reminders. There are many free e-mail reminder services available. You simply type in what you want to remember, such as a birthday, anniversary or event, and you then receive an e-mail reminder when the date is approaching.
- Post sticky note reminders. Those wonderful, little sticky notes can be amazing memory helpers. Want to remember something before you leave your place? Jot it down on a Post-It Note and stick it on the inside of your door. You’ll be sure to see it as you’re getting ready to walk out. Have to make an urgent call first thing in the morning? Leave a Post-It Note on your telephone.
- Set timers and alarms. Take advantage of alarm clocks and timers throughout the day. Want to leave for the basketball game by 6:15? Set your timer to beep a few minutes before.
- Use visual reminders. Visual reminders can help you remember and focus. I especially like visual reminders for remembering your goals. If your goal is to take a trip to a beautiful island in a few years, keep a magazine photograph of the island right on your desk. If your goal is to own your own business one day, find a picture or ornament that will help remind you of this goal each day.
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Related reading:
- the Ultimate iamnext Study Guide
- Doing well in school and life: what goals are you aiming for?