How to memorize fast? 13 effective tips

Throughout the day we deal with a large amount of information, which continually bombards us and which we must process in order to be able to adapt to the environment.

Much of this information is not excessively relevant except when it appears, but sometimes it can be useful to keep it in memory. For example, at the academic level we are asked to capture, maintain and retain in memory the data we receive.

But in order to memorize something, it is generally not enough to expose yourself once to such information: with only hearing a few words or reading a few lines we will not retain them unless they have marked us deeply. It is also desirable that the memorization process does not last forever, but rather is efficient and allows us to leave space for our attention to be directed to new elements.

How to memorize fast? Throughout this article we are going to propose a series of different strategies that can help us speed up and facilitate the retention of information.

• Related article: "Types of memory: how does the human brain store memories?"

How to memorize fast: strategies and procedures

There are many elements that influence our ability to encode and retain information. Y some of these elements can be manipulated in order to favor learning. Next we will see a series of possible methods or procedures to help us memorize.

1. Review the information

Something basic to be able to learn and memorize something is to make this information enter our mind on several occasions. With a single presentation it is very complex to keep something in memory, unless it has a profound emotional impact. The review and repetition serve to reinforce the imprint that such information leaves in our memory, in some cases to become something automatic.

This is especially useful for information that is disconnected from each other. or that we cannot link with other knowledge of our day to day, such as a list of words or multiplication tables, but it is also applicable to other types of information.

2. Make outlines and summaries

Simply reading a text and waiting for it to finish writing to memory can be a slow and inefficient process. When it comes to speeding it up, it is advisable to make summaries of the content covered and even diagrams in which to synthesize and organize the information. This allows working at a mental level with the information, processing and manipulating it in such a way that we make it understandable to ourselves.

3. Read and repeat out loud

Various studies show that compared to mere reading in silence, it is more effective and efficient when it comes to memorizing the fact of verbalizing what we are reading, since We not only work on it at the visual representation level but also at the auditory and motor level.

4. Explain it to another

It may be advisable to make a short presentation or explanation to another person of the content that we have to memorize. In a similar way to that of the previous point, the fact of mentally working with the information to put it with our own words and expressing them helps us to make sense of what we have learned, something that undoubtedly favors faster and faster memorization. efficient.

5. Employ multiple pathways

When we think about studying or memorizing something, we probably get the image of someone staring at the same information, always presented in the same way. Although repetition of information is necessary, it can be helpful for the material to be presented through multiple avenues. Of course, with certain perseverance and caution, well if each repetition is different, this can cause a loss when it comes to focusing in the content itself.

In addition, using different routes will make people who have more facility for a specific type of memorization to increase their probabilities and the speed at which learn (there are people, for example, who retain more visual information than verbal information or vice versa, or who work better with pictograms or drawings than letters).

6. Use metaphors, acronyms, and acronyms

A good strategy that facilitates the memorization of content is not to limit yourself to representing it as is but try to generate metaphors with the concepts or put together the initials or parts of the words to be learned to form a new shorter and more easily memorizable.

• You may be interested: "Lewis's theory of active and inactive memory"

7. Create your own story

Another method that makes it easier to quickly memorize some type of information is to look for a relationship between the different concepts to retain and elaborate a short story or even a single sentence that contains both. In this way the memory of one will elicit that of another.

8. Relate the new to the old

Another strategy to learn, and that in fact it is often done naturally during the learnings that we most easily carry out, is to link the new information to be memorized with previous knowledge or experiences. This helps to make sense of the information and give it meaning.

9. Find a flattering place

Context is important in facilitating or hindering the learning process. In order to promote memorization, it will be advisable look for an environment with an adequate light intensity and to be able to be natural, with a comfortable temperature and in which we can maintain a comfortable but not excessively lax posture. It is also important that there are no other distracting elements present (mobiles, screens or consoles out of reach) and that sufficient space is available.

10. Context dependent memory

Various studies show us that the conditions in which we acquire knowledge also influence its memory: when we receive a information in a certain place or in certain circumstances is easier to remember when those conditions reappear. recreation. For example, if we learned something underwater, it would be much easier to remember it again on a new dive than on the surface. It is because of that It is useful to always study in a space similar to that of the situation in which we are going to apply this knowledge.

11. Link the information to something you are passionate about

Although it is not always possible, it can be very useful to relate what we want to learn with something that generates interest and satisfaction. In this way, the knowledge to be memorized can be easier to retain when linked to the positive emotions related to our hobby. For example, people who like the theater can use a short theatrical performance that integrates what they have to memorize.

12. Take breaks regularly

Many people spend long hours looking at and reviewing the material to be learned, and may even spend sleepless nights to keep trying to memorize. Although kneeling elbows is not bad, the truth is that it has been shown that Studying for hours and hours is not as efficient as taking small specific breaks of a few minutes in which we can disconnect and relax and then go back to studying.

Obviously it should not be abused either: perhaps a break every hour that lasts around five minutes could go well, although it will depend on the rhythm of work and that it does not break a specific moment of concentration.

13. Basic requirement: eat and sleep properly

In order to learn and maintain good functioning and mental efficiency, it is necessary to maintain a sufficient quantity and quality of sleep that allows us to regenerate and replenish our energies. The same can be said with regard to nutrition: eating well will help us to have energy and promote mental function.

Bibliographic references:

• Sara, S. J. (2000). Retrieval and reconsolidation: toward a neurobiology of remembering. Learning & Memory, 7 (2), 73-84.