How to Improve Memory: Tips & Tricks to Learn Faster

Information is all around us. Ever since the advent of the information age and the internet’s vast network, humans spend most of their time either directly or indirectly consuming information of some sort. Approach this from an academic perspective and you have even more information to consume, memorize, and regurgitate for coursework. Given the ubiquity of information and its application in modern student life, memory becomes integral. Most students are often confused about how to improve their memory, so they can fare better in school. With the voluminous amounts of information disseminated in classrooms day after day, things can get complicated very quickly. That apart, referring to recommended publications is another aspect of modern education that can get quite dense. Considering these factors, it is quintessential for students to keep their minds in good shape, with their memory constantly aiding their efforts in doing better. 

Be it just for answering your professors’ questions during lectures or for acing your tests, memorizing tips along with a robust set of practices to retain information are quite handy. That being said, memory is a complex mechanism that occurs in the brain due to a combination of several neural networks, neurochemical reactions, activities in its various parts, and lifestyle habits. Though you might think merely memorizing and recalling are sufficient, even making sense of memorized information and structuring it are important aspects of human memory that are especially beneficial to students. Below, we provide a simple guide on how to improve your memory by keeping your brain fit. We also provide a few tips and tricks to help you better process information, store it, and recall the same.

Understanding Memory

Memory is a neuropsychological phenomenon that allows us to store, retain, recollect, and use information to influence our lives in various ways. Essential aspects of human existence such as language, communication, innovation, and the basis of civilization would not have been possible without the central role of memory. In this regard, sensory information in the form of stimuli is processed and encoded into networks in the brain for later retrieval. Human memory works to access, make sense of, encode, decode, and retrieve information. Memory, overall, is a processor of information that operates due to a variety of factors that impact its efficacy in storing and retrieving information. 

It can be broadly broken down into two categories: 

• Explicit or Declarative Memory: This form of memory entails the conscious encoding of information and its retrieval. Declarative memory includes the process of referencing a memory using thought and linking back to it. Most students indulge in learning that includes explicit or declarative memory as a central element. Worldly information and information from everyday experiences are stored using explicit memory. Information coding for these experiences are called semantic and episodic memory. 
• Implicit or Nondeclarative Memory: Implicit memory involves the process of storing and retrieving information unconsciously. This includes subliminally eliciting responses from the brain and accessing memories stored implicitly. Everyday processes that require little to no attention to perform are good examples of nondeclarative memory. Implicit memory occurs through slow, gradual, and long-term learning that allows the process of storage and retrieval to gain a degree of automation in the brain. 

While the above two categories cover a fair portion of memory in humans, cognitive scientists also categorize memory into 4 different stages. Though these stages are categorized separately, they’re interconnected and translatable. Each type can progress to form a subsequent strand of memory—making it apt to call it a stage, rather than a type in and of itself. 

• Sensory Memory: This stage of memory is ephemeral and lasts for a very short period. It includes acknowledging stimuli that are in the periphery of your perception, such as hearing certain noises while working or noticing a bird flying out of the window through the corner of your eye. This doesn’t translate into anything permanent unless it stays in your perception for a considerable amount of time. In case your brain thinks of sensory memory to be something of importance, the stimulus gets processed and coded into short- or long-term memory. 
• Short-term Memory: This stage of memory includes small bits of information. “Short-term” does not actually refer to the duration of the memory, but instead to the capacity of information it is capable of holding and recapping. Memorizing a couple of sentences or recalling a few codes you just heard your friend tell you are types of short-term memory. Unlike conventional belief, even memory of the short-term sort is integral when you’re looking for ways to improve memory. 
• Long-term Memory: This stage of memory is capable of holding information that is beyond 30 seconds old. It can encode and retrieve a variety of experiences and details. Long-term memory is one of the most important aspects for students as many concepts used in school are all reliant on it. Explicit and implicit memory discussed earlier are also considered to be parts of long-term memory. Long-term memory is stored when the neural networks in your brain move a set of information from temporary to permanent stores. 
• Working Memory: Though similar to short-term memory, working memory restricts itself to an ongoing process or task that requires you to think of actions and processes within a particular task. This can include activities such as cooking, where you need to recollect aspects such as the amount of salt or spice you already added, or solving problems that require you to keep a tab on the operations you previously performed.

Why Having a Good Memory is Essential

Good memory can help you perform a variety of tasks at college that go beyond scoring better grades on a test. Quick information recall is apt for a variety of academic and non-academic activities that can help you remain sharp throughout your time at university. Here are some reasons why it might be wise to begin working on improving your memory: 

• Aids problem solving: A good memory helps easy recollection of facts and helps you bring forth concepts learned in class to allow you to solve problems either during an assessment or for other coursework. Be it recollecting mathematical formulae, chemical equations, laws in physics, or dates of historical events, recollection of facts is key to helping you solve problems and answer questions promptly when you really need to. This comes from robust memory that doesn’t merely depend on rote memorization but also includes analytical thinking linked to stored information. 
• Helps with quick note-taking: Often, lecturers will go on a long discourse about complex subject matter without actually pausing to allow students time to take notes. Collecting points from your professor’s lecture to jot them down as he speaks is aided by quick, short-term memory. If you’re looking to collect and gather as much information as you can from your classes, sound memory and quick thinking are imperative. Working on how to memorize something fast is one thing, while having a sharp mind to memorize a constant stream of information is another. The dynamic flow of data can often be hard to retain because of the limited capacity of short-term memory. Using memory games can help you do better. 
• Improves attention span: Having a good memory also helps you remain focused for a longer period, which in turn allows you to gather and retain more information. Both memory and attention span are closely interlinked, and enhancing one of these automatically aids the other. For the same reason, making efforts not only to improve your memory but also to extend your duration of attention can help you retain and recall information better. Remaining attentive in your classes can help you pick up essential details and information that can be very useful in getting through assignments, essays, and exams. 
• Reduces academic anxiety: Way too many students toil away right until the last moment before a test or an exam due to their anxiety of deficient preparation. With better memory, not only can you retain more information, but you can also understand how to learn faster by using better methods and techniques to memorize information. By using your memory better, you can remain confident in committing yourself to any form of coursework during your time at university. On an overall level, memorizing better also allows you to learn without aimlessly memorizing concepts. Holistic learning enables you to gain confidence in your capabilities and gain proficiency in your subjects.

Essential Tips on How to Improve Memory

Boosting your memory will allow you to better grasp and learn new concepts at school, along with retaining and recalling them at will. Here are some of the best safe & natural ways to improve memory: 

1. Train Your Brain

Indulging in activities that allow you to work your brain are always useful in improving your memory. Despite the brain not being a muscular structure, daily activity stimulates it and necessitates the creation of new networks and stable pathways for better information processing and retrieval. Switching up the ways you learn and performing a variety of mentally stimulating activities invokes the nature of neuroplasticity. This is a feature of the brain that allows it to reorganize existing networks based on the introduction of new experiences and growth. You can stimulate better neural coordination and memorization by indulging in at least one or two of these activities regularly: 

• Solve puzzles: Though straightforward, solving puzzles can help your brain remain active and promote quick thinking. Be it jigsaw puzzles, playing scrabble, solving crosswords, or spending time with the daily sudoku in the newspaper, all of these activities allow you to improve your memorizing techniques and skills. 
• Pick up a new skill or hobby: Indulging in something new from time to time allows your brain to kickstart portions of it that it often uses to adapt to changing circumstances. Learning skills such as cooking or driving, or picking up hobbies such as painting or crocheting can promote clear thinking, allowing you to unlock new pathways and learn faster. 
• Music and dance can help: Apart from the benefits of relaxation they provide, both music and dance also have a penchant for enhancing cognitive abilities like memorization. Learning a new instrument or picking up a dance form can promote a healthy mind and sharp memory. Apart from these benefits, music and dance also open up other avenues by enhancing creative potential. 

2. Exercise Regularly 

Physical activity goes beyond adding a few years to our lifespans. Frequent physical activity is linked to better mental health and improved brain activity. These factors help you maintain better thinking capacity and promote information recall. Try to pick up at least one of the following physical activities to keep your brain and body active: 

• Strength training: Strength training in addition to improving muscle and bone strength, also prevents neural degeneration. It can also aid coordination, memorization, and reasoning due to the involvement of the nervous system. Precise movements and following training routines allow the body’s nervous system to remain flexible given the variety of actions involved in the workout. Try at least 30 minutes of strength training between 3 to 4 times a week to remain physically fit and to enhance brain power. 

• Sport: Along with stamina training and endurance, several sports also require you to practice and perfect specific movements. Various rules are involved too, and you’re required to follow them in the process. This can promote reasoning capabilities in addition to cognitive capacity and memorization skills. Playing a sport can also be one of the most fun ways to improve memory, helping you destress and get rid of anxiety. 

• Walking: Taking walks is one of the most simple forms of exercise available to everyone. In addition to promoting cardiovascular health and stabilizing breathing patterns, walks can also aid information processing and seamless information recap. Try to make your walks more interesting by memorizing quirky details you observe on the walk and recalling them later to help your brain practice memorization while you stay active. 

• Swimming: Going for a swim regularly might be one of the most beneficial physical activities you can sign up for. Apart from the unmatched benefits aiding immunity and musculoskeletal integrity, swimming is also among the best exercises for cognitive function. It has a great effect on the mind and stabilizes erratic mood swings. Along with aiding better mental health, swimming also helps improve your memory over time. 

• Yoga: Practicing yoga for at least 20 minutes a day can have a great impact on both the mind and body. Yoga bolsters networks in portions of the brain that are directly linked to cognition and memory, apart from promoting flexibility and endurance. It improves attention spans by making you focus on your breathing patterns and can aid in continued information uptake. 

3. Combat Stress

Information retention and recall are severely impacted by stress, anxiety, and poor mental health. These are three important impediments often faced by college students. Reducing stress is integral to working out an effective method to improve memorization. While the previously mentioned steps and activities can go a long way in improving the situation, you might also require more pointed efforts in tackling stress in your academic life. Try to organize your tasks and take them on one at a time to ensure you’re able to devote sufficient time to each of them while addressing them completely. This includes chores, academic assignments, commitments at university, and recreational activities. Often, students are stuck wondering how to handle a multitude of tasks. However, with a little planning, you can be sure of addressing all of your tasks without overthinking. Set reminders and also maintain a journal and a planner to help you organize your activities while keeping a track of your progress. 

In addition to planning, you can also try to set aside at least 10 minutes every day to meditate and spend time with tranquility. Not only does this reduce stress, but it also aids better cognition and creative faculties. In case you find yourself in low moods frequently and are unable to manage anxiety on your own, try and reach out to a professional counselor or to a qualified mental health professional to help you get to the root of the problem. Pay as much attention to mental health as you would to physical well-being and try not to avoid symptoms of depression and chronic anxiety. 

4. Set Aside Time to Relax

Packing your schedule to the brim can be quite detrimental to your journey to better memory. Avoid overworking yourself and allocate at least some time in the day to relax. Try to connect with your friends and family and spend time together. You might also want to sit back and relax watching your favorite shows or playing a few video games to let go of the built-up stress from college. Try to socialize more often and spend time outdoors in places like parks to combine a fun outdoor activity with your time off from your routine tasks. Seek out new experiences and have fun while you’re at it. Your brain requires rest just as it does activity, so it’s important not to leave out the most important component— rest. Relaxation will help you avoid burnout and keep you motivated throughout your academic journey. 

5. Eat Foods that Improve Memory

Along with keeping your system clean, eating right can also help your brain store information better. While this does not mean eating a particular type of food will magically make you remember everything you studied the previous day, it will certainly support your efforts in developing a sharp memory. Along with the right food intake, it is also important to cut back on a few harmful and detrimental foods to better support your system. Reducing the intake of refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, alcoholic beverages, and processed foods allows you to speed up cognition and reduce lethargy. These foods are known to cause a decrease in cognitive capacity and concentration. Bringing down the intake of these foods should be the first step towards eating better to improve your memory. 
Apart from avoiding these foods, make it a point to also eat foods like nuts, fresh vegetables, lean meat, unprocessed dairy, and seafood. The essential fats present in these foods will support better neural health, eventually impacting your cognition and improving memory. Eating freshly prepared food also has marked benefits on both physical and mental health. Apart from the essential fats, important minerals and vitamins present in the listed food types are also quintessential to help you achieve better brain health and functioning. Beverages such as green tea and black coffee are also effective boosts to memory and come with plenty of antioxidants.

How to Learn Faster: Simple Tricks & Practices

Students can greatly benefit from knowing how to memorize something fast, given the vast amount of information they’re expected to retain during their academic journey. While different methods concerning how to improve memory will allow you to perfect topics in your textbooks, they also allow you to get done with more in a shorter period. This eases academic stress and helps you retain more information for longer. Here are a few simple memory hacks to help you learn faster: 

1. Grasp the General Details

Understanding the general details of a topic can help you gather information common to several different concepts contained within it. Memories are often stored with overarching hierarchies that then branch out into specifics. So learning the general outline can help you place various, potentially contrasting conceptualizations with ease, no matter how intricate they get. The finer details of a topic often fall under specific categories that are often easier for the brain to locate and recall when you’re memorizing something. This will help you correlate different aspects of the same topic, helping you approach the relevant coursework with a more holistic and rational understanding. 

2. Make Connections

Linked memories are often easier to access and recall. While it might seem strange to link two unrelated things together, creating links between information that seems at least superficially related can go a long way in helping you learn faster and retain better. Visualizing concepts and connecting them to the information you study can be very effective in memorizing complex principles. Take some time to close your eyes and think of what you studied and try to give it form through your mind’s eye. Though difficult at the start, it should materialize into something related. While this might be quirky and often bizarre on an objective level, the visualization’s uniqueness is exactly what helps people remember the information for longer. The weirder your visualization, the better you remember it because of how original it is. Similarly, associating information to related images can help too, performing a similar function in helping you understand and retain what you studied. Similarly, linking two pieces of information can also help retain what you memorized better in terms of both sets of data. 

3. Use Your Senses

The sense organs are some of the most vibrant and richly innervated parts of the body. They’re capable of sensing unique stimuli and creating vivid memories of their sensations. Using them in your academic journey can help you retain more information for longer. Place your hands on models you would use to study subjects such as physics or anatomy. Feel each model and associate it with information you’re trying to learn and memorize. Repeat the concept or information out loud while you examine the model to deploy both speech and listening in the mix. Involving your senses is very effective in helping you retain complex information for prolonged durations. 

4. Create Associations

Associating the information you gather with locations, acronyms, or rhymes is one of the easy ways to ensure you learn something quickly while retaining it for longer. The concept of mnemonics comes from the method of associating concepts with various visual, audio, or acronym-based cues to trigger the unraveling of detailed memory. It often connects new information to existing learning, even if it’s entirely unrelated. Some of the oldest methods of mnemonics are via the Method of Loci, which is a technique that requires you to associate information with a particular location and the objects present there. Recalling information involves placing yourself in that location mentally and looking for the objects there using your mind’s eye and unraveling stored information. Though ancient, the technique continues to help students improve their memory to this day. On the other hand, creating quirky sentences that connect to the topic are great mnemonic devices, since the brain picks up quite easily on peculiarities. 

An example of a very effective mnemonic device is “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” from mathematics. The sentence correlates to the acronym “PEMDAS,” which in turn refers to the mathematical operations “parentheses,” “exponents,” “multiplication,” “division,” “addition,” and “subtraction” in that order. Such devices promote easy memorization and seamless recollection, helping students take tests and prepare for class with ease. Rhyming mnemonics are also very effective due to an added aspect of peculiarity. A classic rhyming mnemonic is “I before E, except after C, or when sounding like A, like in neighbor and weigh.” The mnemonic device allows students to easily resolve spelling confusion. 

5. Practice by Writing

Writing simplified bits of complex information can help students retain information for fairly extended periods. The kinetic element of writing and the involvement of sensation and muscular movements encode information better. Hand-eye coordination plays an important role in information coding and processing, allowing the brain to accurately code and store information. Spelling the details out loud when writing adds an auditory component to the memorization process and enables you to better enhance retentive power while you’re at it. 

6. Split & Chunk Data

Information is often handed over to students in very vast blocks. This can become overwhelming very quickly and lead to a lot of confusion and inability to memorize essential information. Dividing large pieces of information into smaller blocks can help you simply memorize the manageable portions. You can then proceed to correlate and make connections between other chunks of information within the same block. Understanding the relationship between concepts and sub-concepts within a piece of information is greatly enhanced when you chunk data. The associations created between the smaller bits of information are also a factor that aids better memorization and overall understanding of the topic. 

7. Try Teaching

Some of the best ways to internalize what you learn is by teaching. You often revise what you’ve learned and are also bound to face questions from someone that does not know what you do. Answering these questions will help you place together all the information you’ve learned and rationalize it using the concepts of the subject matter. Not only does this make your memory of the topic more resilient, but it also helps you fully encapsulate your understanding of it and apply it to address doubts and questions. You can try teaching a friend, study partner, sibling, or even a parent to help you strengthen your grip on the topic. 

Using these simple suggestions and hacks can help you sharpen focus, think better, and improve your memory. While the effects might take some time to materialize, understand that consistency is key and efforts often compound over some time.

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