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When meeting someone for the first time, ask
them their name. Use their name several times in conversation.
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Where possible, link their name to some feature
of their looks, personality, job, etc. try to find a connection. Create
a mental image of the person and label it with the person's name.
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Vitamins that can aid memory recall are the
Vitamin B group (especially B1; B6 and B12), Folic acid, tyrosine, iodine,
manganese choline are also beneficial. Glucose is involved in the
chemical process of storing memories, therefore it can be useful to take
before exams.
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Alcohol has a negative effect on brain function
and will affect the ability to store material. Drugs and tobacco also
have an adverse effect.
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Ensure you get plenty of sleep.
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Think positive. Don't admit to having a
bad memory. We often live up to other people's expectations of us.
Indeed such expectations are one of the main determinants of our behaviour.
Tell yourself that your memory is good - don't worry too much if you don't
believe it at first because after a while your subconscious mind will accept
this suggestion and change accordingly.
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When you are studying don't get too comfortable.
Attention is at its best when their is a slight discomfort.
Stress, on the other hand, has an adverse effect on memory.
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Make lists; use a diary. Leave yourself
written reminders.
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Put things in the same place every time.
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When given directions, rehearse them in your
mind.
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Use routines, incoming trays for letters, check
email first thing in the morning, run through things that you need to have
before you leave for work then check to make sure you've got them.
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Become more organised. It may take a bit
more effort at first but in the long term you will save time.
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Find your own peak time; use your natural rhythm
to organise learning around. Memory is said to be at its best on Fridays
and Saturdays. Presumably because most people are more relaxed on these
days.
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Use mnemonics - e.g. to remember the colours of
the rainbow - Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green,
Blue, Indigo, Violet).
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Don't study if there are distractions.
Find a quiet place.
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Repetition can help memory. Ask yourself
questions about your knowledge or share it with others, test yourself.
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To recall words, names, spellings etc. use the
'tip of the tongue' technique. Go through the alphabet thinking (e.g.)
bab - bac - bad - baf - until something sounds right or clicks in your mind.
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Put things where you would expect them to be.
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If you some an item, mentally retrace your steps
leading up to where and when you had them last.
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Use a beeping key-ring if you are prone to
losing your keys.
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Wall charts can be a good idea to help you to
remember what's going on. Keep chart and diary entries to no more than 5
words for any one entry, otherwise you'll spend all your time writing and
reading.
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Walking is a good time to go over things in your
mind. Driving is a bad time as your concentration on the road could be
impaired.
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Look upon learning as fun. The ability to
remember is affected by the material content - if viewed favourably it will be
easier to remember.
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Find time to relax.
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Download one of the following MP3s and improve
your memory naturally and easily. Hypnosis is a wonderfully relaxing
experience during which your body and mind will benefit. As the saying
goes - one hour of hypnosis is worth eight hours of sleep.
