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Generally
students are confronted with two kinds or types of memory work. The first
and more common is general remembering or remembering the idea without
using the exact words of the book or professor. General memory is called
for in all subjects.
The other type of memory work is the verbatim memorizing or remembering
the identical words by which something is expressed. This type of
memorizing may be called for in all subjects but especially in law,
dramatics, science, engineering, mathematics, and foreign language where
the exact wording of formulas, rules, norms, law, lines in a play, or
vocabulary must be remembered.
Other kinds of memory have their place and it is important for the student
to know when to stop with the general idea and when to fix in mind the
exact words, numbers, and symbols.
| 1. |
Understand thoroughly what is to be remembered
and memorized. When something is understood, be it a name or a
chemical chain it is almost completely learned, for anything
thoroughly understood is well on the way toward being memorized. In
the very process of trying to understand, to get clearly in mind a
complex series of events, or chain of reasoning, the best possible
process of trying to fix in mind for later use is being followed.
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| 2. |
Spot what is to be memorized verbatim. It is a
good plan to use a special marking symbol in text and notebook to
indicate parts and passages, rules, data, and all other elements
which need to be memorized instead of just understood and
remembered.
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| 3. |
If verbatim memory is required, go over the
material or try to repeat at odd times, as, for example, while going
back and forth to school.
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| 4. |
Think about what you are trying to learn. Find an
interest in the material if you wish to memorize it with ease.
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| 5. |
Study first the items you
want to remember longest.
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| 6. |
Learn complete units at one time as that is the
way it will have to be recalled.
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| 7. |
Overlearn to make certain.
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| 8. |
Analyze material and strive to intensify the
impressions the material makes.
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| 9. |
Fix concrete imagery whenever possible. Close
your eyes and get a picture of the explanation and summary answer.
Try to see it on the page. See the key words underlined.
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| 10. |
Make you own applications,
examples, illustrations.
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| 11. |
Reduce the material to be remembered to your own
self-made system or series of numbered steps.
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| 12. |
Represent the idea graphically by use of
pictorial or diagrammatic forms.
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| 13. |
Make a list of key words most useful in
explaining the idea or content of the lesson.
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| 14 |
Form a variety of associations among the points
you wish to remember. The richer the associations, the better
memory.
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| 15. |
Try making the idea clear to a friend without
referring to your book or notes.
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| 16. |
Actually write out examination questions on the
material that you think you might get at the end of the term. Then
write answers to your own questions. Since you now have the chance,
consult the text or your notes to improve your answers.
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| 17. |
Follow suggestions for reviewing. This is an
important part of remembering. |
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