Exams are around the corner, which means less fun time and more time at the library. But if you’re someone who struggles with keeping information on your mind, you may need our help.
We’ll give you a few tips on how to memorize faster and easier for exams. So, let’s see what you can do to get closer to those straight A’s!
In This Guide
How to Memorize Faster and Easier for Exams
It’s time to let you know our favorite tricks and hacks to help you study more efficiently.
Step 1: Eliminate Distractions
To put your memory to maximum performance, you must ensure that there are no interruptions. Being distracted by your phone or a book you’ve been thrilled to read will make remembering subject-related information hard.
Therefore, the best thing you could do here is to put your phone on silent and keep it out of reach. This way, you won’t have this irresistible urge to check it out every now and then.
Also, make sure that your workspace only includes the stuff that you need for studying. Stash away any sort of clatter that could snag your focus.
Step 2: Visualize the Information That You’re Studying
This is a really helpful tip since the human brain can memorize visuals faster than text. For instance, you can create diagrams, charts, and shapes to link pieces of information to each other.
Some people are fans of comparison tables, too, claiming that they’re pretty easy to remember.
If you’re ready to go the extra mile, you could use the help of colored pens, sticky notes, and highlighters to help you remember important points.
Step 3: Simplify the Information
A major reason why it can be hard to memorize things is that we usually stare at huge walls of text. Looking at too much information as a whole can create a block in your mind, making you feel like it’ll be impossible to remember everything later.
A mistake-proof way to get rid of this psychological sensation is to simplify each piece of info you’re studying. You could:
- Create flashcards
- Make a PowerPoint slideshow with pictures and charts
- Link names to images or metaphors
You can get pretty creative when you try to simplify anything. For instance, you can bring your hobby into the game. Turning your hardest lessons into songs can be more effective than anything else, and I’m speaking from experience here!
Step 4: Create a Chain to Link Everything Together
One of the most thorough memorization techniques is to make up a story or sentence to remember a chain of words.
For example, if you’re memorizing several things that fall under the same category, you can pick the first letter of each to create a single word or phrase. Therefore, in only two or three tries, that new word should stick to your head.
Step 5: Introduce Some Theatrics to Your Studying Session
Acting out different aspects of your school subjects can be a powerful way to help information find its way to your brain without much effort. This way, you’ll be having a bit of fun while feeding yourself important facts.
It’s always helpful to talk aloud or even address someone who’s not there to share your information with. A really cool technique that many students swear by is to pretend that you’re explaining things to other people.
Using hand gestures and facial expressions can associate information with your muscle memory.
Even better, you can grab a friend and teach them, too. This way, you’ll remember the information faster the next time you study it. And when you’re in the middle of the exam, your mind should find it easier to remember your interaction with your friend.
Step 6: Try Studying in Different Places
Sometimes, your mind will become bored of facing the same scenery every time you study. As a result, you’ll be prone to space out and lose interest faster.
A great idea to overcome this occurrence is to change locations every now and then. You can switch between your dorm, the library, the park, a coffee shop, etc.
This way, your spirits should improve, which should make memorizing things much easier.
Step 7: Take Breaks
You must take a break every once in a while. If you stay for hours staring at pages and diagrams, you’ll become bored more quickly.
Besides, not taking breaks, even for ten minutes, can give you a sore back and shoulders. So, take a few moments to stretch out a little bit, walk to the window, or even look at the ceiling!
Step 8: Don’t Forget to Revise
No matter which path you take, always revisit your subjects. The more often you look at the same information, the easier it will be to remember when the time comes.
Don’t leave huge gaps between studying sessions of the same school subject. Instead, it’s best if you revise it a couple of days later. Then, you’ll find out which points have stuck with you and which you’ll need to memorize further.
Step 9: Reward Yourself
Here’s something that lots of people claim was really helpful. Before you begin a studying session, plan for something to treat yourself to when you’re done. However, don’t schedule it for right after you finish studying, which will only cause you to rush.
For instance, if you’ll be spending all Saturday hunched over textbooks, you can arrange for something special to do on Sunday.
You can go out with your best buddies, have dinner at a nice taco place, or watch a good movie marathon. Whatever makes you happy, do it. This way, you’ll encourage yourself to study so that you can receive the rewards later.
How to Remember Things for Exams
Learning how to memorize faster and easier for exams is crucial to make the best out of your studying session. The key here is to stay focused, simplify pieces of information, and add a touch of fun to the whole thing.
Once you create your favorite blend of all the tricks we’ve mentioned, your exams should be a breeze!