Memory Tip5 :: Long Term Memory

Long-term memory differs from Short-Term Memory in several ways. From a practical point of view, it is mostly permanent and has an almost unlimited capacity. The recollection of childhood memories through hypnosis or other methods shows the permanence and large capacity of long-term memory. Additionally, it cannot be disrupted by things that can affect short-term memory. From a biological point of view, each type of memory has a different nerve chemistry and is affected differently by various drugs and diseases.

There are three types of long-term memory. The first is called “Procedural Memory.” This is how you remember skills such as riding a bike or dialing a phone. The second type of memory is called “Semantic Memory.” It helps you remember facts such as the color of your hair or your mother’s name. The last type of memory is called “Episodic Memory.” This kind is how you remember personal memories such as your last birthday party.

Each type of memory can benefit from different memory techniques. Most students are interested in improving and using their semantic memory. Elderly people are frequently more interested in their episodic memories and babies are very active in using their procedural memories.

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How to stick to New Year Resolutions

Plan of action

If you haven’t stuck to your plan in the past, don’t give up. Be flexible and give yourself more time. It sometimes takes years to succeed.

Here are some tips to help you stick to your resolutions this year:

i. Take time out for yourself to look at all you’ve experienced — the good and bad of the previous year. Look at areas you have succeeded in and areas you haven’t. Think about how can you improve the good and avoid the bad.

ii. Don’t make too many resolutions. Anything between one and five is realistic. Also, try not to aim for the sky within a month.

iii. Avoid absolutes, because they are difficult to manage and you soon tend to revert to old habits. Pick a gradual process of change.

iv. Be very careful about including last year’s unresolved resolutions. Try and find out why you didn’t stick to them first.

v. Write your resolutions down somewhere visible. Maintaining a journal may be a good idea.

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Creativity :: Brainstorm Rule: Build on Ideas

In a Brainstorm, you don’t need to come up with completely unique, original, and fully formed ideas. If everyone did this, the meeting would be very quiet while everyone sat and thought, and you wouldn’t end up with very many novel ideas. The best ideas come from a collaborative effort of springboarding off one idea to arrive at another improved or modified solution. After you have built on the original idea several times, you’ll have something completely new that you never would have thought of on your own.

Never hold back because your idea is only partially formed or incomplete. The other brainstormers can build on it and turn it into a possible solution. Even a little random thought could provide the spark that gives someone else a great idea.

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Memory Tip4:: SQ3R

SQ3R is an acronym for a popular study system that will help you get the most from your studying. SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review. It’s a good system to use if you are trying to learn the material in a textbook.

Survey

In this first step, you should take no more than 5 minutes to get an overview of what the chapter or book is about. Read the preface, table of contents, chapter titles, headings, graphs, summaries, etc. This will give you an outline of what you are about to learn which will help you know what to expect.
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Concentrating when studying

Concentration: the ability to direct your thinking

The art or practice of concentration,
no matter if studying biology or playing pool,
is to focus on the task at hand and eliminate distraction

We all have the ability to concentrate — sometimes. Think of the times when you were “lost” in something you enjoy: a sport, playing music, a good game, a movie. Total concentration.

But at other times,

* Your mind wanders from one thing to another
* Your worries distract you
* Outside distractions take you away before you know it
* The material is boring, difficult, and/or not interesting to you.

These tips may help:
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The Four Learning Styles for Students

The Visual/ Verbal Learning Style
You learn best when information is presented visually and in a written language format. In a classroom setting, you benefit from instructors who use the blackboard (or overhead projector) to list the essential points of a lecture, or who provide you with an outline to follow along with during lecture. You benefit from information obtained from textbooks and class notes. You tend to like to study by yourself in a quiet room. You often see information “in your mind’s eye” when you are trying to remember som ething.

Learning Strategies for the Visual/ Verbal Learner:
To aid recall, make use of “color coding” when studying new information in your textbook or notes. Using highlighter pens, highlight different kinds of information in contrasting colors.
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Motivating Yourself

As young children, we have a great ability to learn and to see past setbacks.

As we begin to meet expectations created by our families, schools, and environment, the motivation of our early years shifts from our goals to pleasing others, and often our desire to learn suffers.

How can you motivate yourself?

With this exercise, try to

* recognize your sense of discovery
* take responsibility for your learning
* accept the risks inherent in learning with confidence, competence, and autonomy
* recognize that “failure” is success:
learning what doesn’t work is on the same path
as learning what does work
* celebrate your achievement in meeting your goals

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Avoiding Procrastination

Is your procrastination related to a project? or is it a habit?

To remedy procrastination:

Begin with one, modest project
Answer these basic questions
Keep the answers before you as you mark your progress:

What do you want to do?
* What is the final objective, the end result?
It may be obvious, or not
* What are the major steps to get there?
Don’t get too detailed: think big
* What have you done so far?
Acknowledge that you are already part of the way,
even if it is through thinking!
The longest journey begins with a first step

Why do you want to do this?
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Memory :: Tip3

Mental Block
Everyone has experienced a mental block when trying to remember something. This happens most often when you are under pressure to remember, such as during a test.

Instead of trying to think harder, it’s often helpful to stop trying to remember and move on to another problem. Frequently, you will find that just giving up the search will be enough to remove the block and the fact will instantly come into your head. This is because you are more relaxed. It’s also likely that your subconscious will continue to think about the problem and the answer will pop into your head a few minutes later.

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Memory :: Tip2

Where You Study
Studies show that where you learn something has an effect on your ability to recall the information at a later date. In particular, your ability to remember something is improved if you learn the information in the same or similar location that you will recall it. This is because the context in which you learn the material serves as a landmark for your memory.

To use this to your advantage, you should study your subject in the location where you will be expected to recall it. For example, if you are studying for a test, you could study the material in the same classroom (or similar classroom) where you are going to be tested. If you are memorizing lines for a play, you could do it in the theater where you will be performing.

If you don’t know where you will be expected to recall the information, or if you can’t replicate the environment, then you should try to study the material in a variety of different places so you don’t get tied to one particular location.

Studies also show that your body position affects your accuracy at recalling information. So, if you are going to be sitting down while taking your test, it might be a good idea to be seated when you study for it, as opposed to lying down.

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Memory :: Tip1

Which is a better way to study?

A) You study an entire book.
B) You study one chapter at a time and test yourself after each one.

You will learn better and remember more using method B.

Frequent feedback is an important part of learning for several reasons:

First, it shows you how much you are learning, which helps keep you motivated and interested in studying. If you never give yourself feedback, you may lose interest or your mind may wander.

Second, it helps reinforce the information in your memory by using repetition.

Third, it lets you know what information you haven’t learned yet and might need to study again.

To give yourself feedback, you might study with a friend and quiz each other, or you might make up your own test questions and quiz yourself.

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