Ways Improve Your Memory & Boost Brainpower

Super Smart

Get plenty of rest. Lack of sleep will disrupt the

consolidation of memory.

Reduce auditory and visual distractions. The brain can only accommodate one

dominant sensory entry at a time.

Hydrate your body-brain system. A 2% decrease in hydration can lead to a

20% loss in energy.

Try to eliminate stress or any form of emotional

trauma

Distribute any practice across time rather than attempting to learn everything at once

Review and connect new content while walking and

discussing that content with another person.

Do not attempt to memorize information while in pain, under medication, under the

influence of recreational drugs or alcohol.

Minimize multitasking. We cannot perform two similar tasks simultaneously, unless

one has reached “automaticity”

Rehearse information by visualizing with the mind’s eye (the visuospatial sketch pad) for visual information,

and rote rehearsal (repetition) for random verbal information (the

phonological loop).

Avoid encoding and retrieval interference.

Add a social aspect to the learning experience.

Use associations to prime the recall of specific

information

Pay attention to what is important (otherwise it will be discarded from working

memory within 18-30 seconds); “download” that information in some way to preserve it (note-taking, audio, oral or mind-maps).

Repeat important information within 10-22 minutes, again within 48 hours, and again at the

end of a seven-day period.

Take short breaks or naps, during which the brain can

reflect and connect.

Study or read prior to going to bed.

Prepare the body for learning/testing with

proper nutrition.

Practice positive talk (focus on related prior successes).

Play non-lyrical music (performed at

approximately 60 beats per minute).

Make as many correlations and connections to previously learned

information as you can.

Process the information as if you are preparing it to

teach it to another individual. (“To teach is to

learn twice.” —Joseph Joubert.)

Use a scent or fragrance during learning (lecture or studying). Bring that same fragrance with you during

testing.

Use mnemonic devices (acrostics, mind-maps and graphic organizers) for

memorizing multiple pieces of information. For eg,

animal kingdom “FARM-B” = fish, amphibians, reptiles,

mammals and birds.

Relax. It is difficult to identify pertinent

information when tense or nervous.

Review old information before reading new

information.

Build bridges from what is known to what is new by

using “10-80-10” rule. Devote 10% of teaching time to activating prior knowledge, 80% to new information, & 10% to a

preview of next.

Study in your most favored and most comfortable

environment.

Replicate the testing environment while

studying.

Pay attention to diet, nutrition and memory-

boosting vitamins. Consume salmon, folic acid, natural sugars and

vitamin B12.

Spend time with mentally stimulating individuals,

particularly mentors and spouses.

Super Smart

By now you're the

By: Kenneth Wesson