Memorization Techniques: Memorizing Methods For Different Learning Styles!

You are sitting in your seat taking one of the most important exams of your life.  You reach a vocabulary word question.  You know this one!  You made flashcards and everything!  Yet, out of pure nerves, you cannot bring yourself to remember what was on the flip-side of your 3×5 index card.  Frustrated, you move onto the next question while wishing you had taken the time to learn better memorization techniques.  No need to worry, we have all taken tests or been in situations where, for some reason, we cannot remember what we read the night before, two hours ago, or even five minutes ago. However, that is where memorization techniques can come in handy.  We are going to exercise that brain of yours and provide it with some customized memorization techniques for your learning structure that will help you the next time you find yourself in the hot seat!  No need to furrow your brows for this one!

Determine the Best Memorization Style for You!

Everyone has different ways that the learn things the best, and finding the best way that you are able to memorize things is going to give you an edge on retaining all the necessary information that you need.  We are going to cover four different memorization categories and go over some useful techniques for each of them.  They are as follows: auditory, visual, tactile, and reading.  Before we begin, take a few moments to determine for yourself which method of learning usually works best for you.

Memorization Techniques for Auditory Learners

Auditory:  Can you hear me now?  Can you hear me now?  If you learn best by hearing things first or by listening, then you are probably an auditory learner.  And, yes, we can hear you now!  Here are some of the traits and characteristics that auditory learners usually carry:

• Lectures or conversations are easy for you to remember in great detail.  You would rather listen and absorb words than take notes.
• You can pick up new languages easily by simply listening to them being spoken.
• You have a good and wide vocabulary.
• You enjoy speaking, and you are good at carry conversations and being able to get your ideas and thoughts across clearly.
• You may play an instrument or have musical talents.  You would rather play by ear than read notes.

Now, here are some memorization techniques for all the auditory learners out there!  Listen up!

1. Read:  Look over whatever it is that you have to memorize.  As you do this, make some relationships in your mind that will help you remember these points as you go along.  For example, if you are reading about the mating rituals of pandas, you can think of the last time you visited the zoo and the pandas that you saw there.  This is known as memorizing by association. This is a fun way to create connections between your real life and what you are reading.
2. Acronyms:  Create acronyms for words that you see.  For example, if you need to remember that “Protein is the best medicine”, then create the acronym PISTBM.
3. Create a story:  Make a fun story that involves what you have to memorize.  Make sure you include the details that you need to remember.  Your story does not have to make sense, just make sure that you can remember it if you need to!
4. Draw:  If you need to, draw something out so that you can see the process you need to remember on paper.  This is also helpful for visual learners.
5. Repeat Aloud:  Since you do best by hearing things, use repetition if you need to remember the order of things.  The key is to repeat until you are able to say the word, phrase, or idea without looking at your paper.  Repeat it at least three times until you remember it.
6. Break:  As much as you might want to keep on going until you get it right, it is important to refresh yourself every now and then to help retain your information and clear you mind.  This helps with long term memory as well.  Relaxing your brain from time to time is important with anything you do.
7. Record:  Record yourself talking and listen to yourself to help you memorize.  You can also listen to your recordings while you are sleeping to help reinforce certain ideas and concepts that you have already gone over.
8. Listen to Others:  If you have to remember lectures or readings, try taping them and then listening to them over again when you are by yourself.  This will help the information stick even better.

Memorization Techniques for Visual Learners

Visual Learners:  If you learn best by looking at things, then seeing visual information will probably help you to understand it as well.  If you are a visual learner, you:

• Can remember information that you see on pictures, charts, or that you read from books or magazines.
• You create visual images of the information that you see to help you remember things.
• You have strong spatial skills.
• You are in tune with your environment and your surroundings.

Here are some handy memorization techniques for you!

1. Find peace and quiet:  Visual learners work well in places where there are less visual distractions.  For instance, try a library a study hall, or a room where there is nothing that will keep you from your focus.
2. Color code:  Color coding your information will help you memorize things easier.  Also, highlighting or circling important information can help make it stand out to you better.
3. Rewrite:  Rewriting information and facts that you need to know over and over again until you remember them is also helpful for getting things to stick in your mind.
4. Draw:  Draw diagrams, pictures, graphs, or whatever images you might need to help you retain and teach your mind to learn the information you need.
5. Move:  Moving around while going over the information and key facts that you need to know will help make studying easier because it will keep your blood moving and your mind sharp.

Memorization Techniques for Tactile Learners

If you are a hands-on type of person, you are probably a tactile learner.  Here are some characteristics that you might have:

• Doing and touching things make situations seem more real to you.
• You are good at things that are hands on, such as: cooking, constructions, drawing, or art.
• You prefer to move around and do not like staying put for long period of time.  Classrooms were never your thing!

Here are some great ways to make memorizing work for you:

1. Find an open area:  You will probably work best in a space where you do not feel confined.  Therefore, aim to find a place that you can get up to move around in every so often.
2. Act it out:  Be creative with how you memorize things.  Use techniques that will engage all of your senses.
3. Split it up:  Try not to memorize one whole group of things.  Split it up and write each word or number on a separate flashcard to help you memorize things easier.
4. Repeat:  Repeating concepts and ideas will work well for you too.  Go ahead and reference some of the techniques of auditory and visual learners that involve repetitions and association.

Memorization Techniques for Readers

If you enjoy reading and can pick up information more easily by reading it through, consider these memorization techniques:

1. Read:   Of course, read!  However, not just once—read what you need to memorize again and again until you are able to repeat it on your own.
2. Write it down:  Once you have read it, make some index cards of the information you need to know.
3. Test:  Test yourself or have a friend test you with your flashcards to see how well you have retained the information.
4. Say it aloud:  Keep repeating the information aloud that you need to remember.  Alternatively, go ahead and read what you need to know aloud to yourself until you have it memorized.

Remember what you’ve Learned!

Memorization is a very useful skill to have, and learning memorization techniques based on your style of learning are sure to help you the next time you find your mind slip in the heat of the moment.  Remember to check out Udemy.com for additional helpful memorization courses that provide fun and easy exercises that you can do at your own pace – you won’t forget what you learn!