Memorization tactics

[evolvedbullet]

What is the shortest and most effective way of memorizing something. I have tried 30/30/30, didn't work out that well. Can you guys and girls please tell me a way to memorize things.


*example, 85 German words.

 

[TheNewbie]

for memorizing a list of objects I know a couple of techniques which require a fairly well developed imagination.
As for memorizing a list of meaningless (since you obviously don't know german) words, I have no good method other than going over the list over and over, perhaps find words that you know that sound like them...

 

[Zugzwang152]

Subdivide the list into meaningful groups.

For 85 German words as an example, there's a couple things you could do:

1. If you know their English meaning, group them up by their meaning, and memorize them that way. Your brain, without having to try, will begin to "remember" there was 4 words in this group, 8 in that group, etc. When you try to regurgitate them and leave 1 word out, you'll get that nagging feeling like you've missed something.

2. If they're random words, subdivide into groups of 5-10 and read them over and over and over. Eventually you'll get into a rhythm and you'll be able to spit out the groups one after another. This is good for night-before type studying (or has been for me).

 

[ppdes]

Back in undergrad I would read a chapter of a text book, then go to sleep for a nap while still thinking about it, then repeat. The dreams were really bizarre, but it worked well.

 

[Kelemvor]

Right before bed, read the list out loud to yourself a few times. Repetitive things like that help you remember and the last thing you do before sleeping gets imprinted more because it doesn't get overwritten by more actions.

Try it and see what happens.

 

[zerocool1]

Originally posted by: evolvedbullet
What is the shortest and most effective way of memorizing something. I have tried 30/30/30, didn't work out that well. Can you guys and girls please tell me a way to memorize things.


*example, 85 German words.

what is 30/30/30

here's how i memorized german words. i used the vocab as often as i could in proper form. i used notecards. keep going through them. i mean like a couple of times before an exam.

 

[2Xtreme21]

Flashcards are a tried and true method for foreign vocabulary words. The best thing though is to use them practically... but that's usually pretty hard if you're not in any practical situations.

 

[Chronoshock]

The two main options are to fit it into your short term memory, or drive it into your long term memory. The former is fairly small, research has shown its ~7 chunks +- 2 where a chunk can be a wide variety of things which you can use to your advantage. As mentioned by Zugzwang, you can divide it into groups of meaning, spelling, sound, etc. Each group will be chunked as one and allow you to remember them better than as just individual words. To work it into long term memory, repetition is really your only answer. I suppose you could try to do repetition exercises in a place/time that would aid long term memorization. I imagine if you were in a traumatic incident while memorizing the words you'd remember them easily, so try flashcards while skydiving or something

 

[evolvedbullet]

Originally posted by: zerocool1

Originally posted by: evolvedbullet
What is the shortest and most effective way of memorizing something. I have tried 30/30/30, didn't work out that well. Can you guys and girls please tell me a way to memorize things.


*example, 85 German words.

what is 30/30/30

here's how i memorized german words. i used the vocab as often as i could in proper form. i used notecards. keep going through them. i mean like a couple of times before an exam.

Sorry, I thought it was widely known heh..

It's the method of memorizing something into your long term memory. My smart a$$ German teacher told me. It worked with one stack of cards but didn't work with the rest of them (I have 10 stacks of 100 or so words, yikes!). I wanted to memorize them this summer so I can have a firm grip in German 2 next year.

 

[biggestmuff]

Repetition.

/thread

 

[aloser]

I once had a tape filled with memorization tips/techniques; I forget what the series was called.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
Flashcards are a tried and true method for foreign vocabulary words. The best thing though is to use them practically... but that's usually pretty hard if you're not in any practical situations.

Flash cards are only good for some people. They are useless for me. I learn foreign vocabulary by writing the word, then writing its definition.

It varies between the individual as to what works best, auditorily or visually, or both etc.

Mnemonics can work is specific circumstances, if you can remember what the technique is, and remember to use it each time you want to remember something.

 

[Syrch]

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152
Subdivide the list into meaningful groups.

For 85 German words as an example, there's a couple things you could do:

1. If you know their English meaning, group them up by their meaning, and memorize them that way. Your brain, without having to try, will begin to "remember" there was 4 words in this group, 8 in that group, etc. When you try to regurgitate them and leave 1 word out, you'll get that nagging feeling like you've missed something.

2. If they're random words, subdivide into groups of 5-10 and read them over and over and over. Eventually you'll get into a rhythm and you'll be able to spit out the groups one after another. This is good for night-before type studying (or has been for me).

Try this, i agree

 

[Tiamat]

you have to just practice. Memorization, even once you get it, only lasts for the exam (in my experience). If you want to keep it locked into your brain, you have to keep using them everyday.