How to Improve Your Memory Through Mnemonics

Jul 28
08:10

2011

Paul Rod

Paul Rod

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A lot of times, you have to remember certain things like a shopping list or clothes that you had to pick up on your way home. For people with poor memories, mnemonics is like the perfect solution. It is easier for the human brain to decode detailed information which is hard to memorize through the use of mnemonics. If you wish to find out more about mnemonics, then read on.

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There are many handy memory tools,How to Improve Your Memory Through Mnemonics  Articles known as mnemonics, that are available and can be utilized when figuring out how to improve the memory. The technique involves the use of acronyms, rhymes and so on in order to augment memory retrieval.

How to improve the Memory using Mnemonics

Songs as well as Rhymes

Most people employ the use of the "30 days hath September" poem to memorize how many days there are in a month. Music has been used by countless people to aid in memory retention. Although mnemonics will not make sense to somebody who doesn't know what they are for, the user will greatly benefit from their use. In essence, a funny or even an odd mnemonic tends to imprint itself on an individual's mind. This explains their considerable use in advertisements. A product that has a song attached to it will be more easily noticed by a consumer.

Acronyms

In essence, your brain decodes a number of things that include touch, smell, sounds, structure and many other things which essentially take you towards memory increase. This particular information is utilized by the brain finally to create the look of the world as we see it. On the other hand, this particular data is also retained within our memory. Try to think of the world cloud and what it brings to your mind? Probably something white and fluffy. Just like the ability of your brain to create associations, you can employ mnemonics in this situation to help you recall things. Another popular mnemonic is the word "scuba". Basically, every letter denotes a particular word. In essence, "scuba" is an acronym for any equipment that allows you stay under water.

Word Mnemonics/Acrostics

Planets have fixed positions in the universe and people tend to use mnemonics to help them retrieve that particular order. This is the order: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Now, take the first letter of every planet name and try to develop a sentence using those letters. Now, check whether this works for you: My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Noodles. You have to be very creative when trying build mnemonics. Also, do not think of negative connections since they will not be of any use to you in terms of increasing memory retention. Positive associations result in easy and quick recall of mnemonic images which is significantly important for learning how to improve the memory.

Image Mnemonics

You can also use images as well as pictures to remind you of things. By coming up with a visualization of a particular situation, chances are you will easily remember it. Since students need to memorize many things, they tend to use this. The best way is to draw such images within your lecture notes so that they are always in front of you while you're studying. Just make sure that you know what the meaning of the sketch is. Another method stresses upon the fact that the image that you're developing should be as memorable or noteworthy as possible. Most people use amusing pictures; if something is really stupid and funny, chances are you won't forget it.

Utilizing images linked with acronyms is yet another effective measure to increase memory. To quote an example, BAT is actually an acronym for Barbiturates, Alcohol and Tranquilizers. If you want to retrieve this in a better way, imagine a bat in your mind with a sad reflection on his face. You will tend to remember this image because of the fact that it is funny and strange.

Chaining/Linking

If you create a story through a variety of word linkages is known as chaining. Unlike acrostics, chaining incorporates the usage of words that bring more reliability and consistency to the entire story. Basically, this process is used primarily for retaining a particular list following a certain order.

An excellent site for memory improvement is www.memory-improvement-tricks.com.

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