What time of day is best to study? What time does our memory work best?

Throughout our lives, we perceive a lot of information, we learn poetry, learn new languages, understand formulas and theorems. And all thanks to what? Thanks to our memory! The brain is an organ that needs to be constantly trained and developed, then everything you perceive will be securely enshrined in memory.

So, there are several ways that will tell you how to better remember information, learn a large amount in a short time, and learn to retain the information received in memory.

Why use memorization techniques?

According to experts, cramming dates, facts and any other information will not bring anything good. This will not help anyone become smarter or learn the necessary data. These methods are ineffective and will hinder rather than help us. That is why scientists have developed more effective methods, thanks to which you can “agree” with memory and get a good result.

You can teach your brain to absorb a large amount of data like a sponge, to always shine with your mind and be on top. At the same time, it won’t be stressful or seem complicated.

Well, let's look at a few techniques that will help you remember a large amount of information:

Multisensory perception

Each person reacts differently to stimuli, and it is thanks to them that we can learn to perceive different information. So, by irritating the sensors on the skin, we feel cold and heat, and by damaging the receptors of the tongue, we can feel taste. Accordingly, the more senses we use during perception, the better the material is remembered. For example, if you need to remember the names of exotic birds, then it is best not only to read their name, but also to look at the picture, and ideally, find singing on the Internet or watch a video. And if you manage to touch it, you are unlikely to ever forget it.

Presentation on the topic: "Laws of memory"

Connecting with art objects

Due to the fact that the subconscious is perfectly stimulated by a variety of objects and works of art, you can perfectly learn and remember what you need. This will happen when a fact or date is associated with a piece of music, or a sculpture, or any other masterpiece. The subconscious will open a special gateway in order to remember this information. This is very easy to learn.

Repeat before and after sleep

It’s not without reason that they say that if you put a book under your pillow, the information will “leak out” on its own. Here we do it a little differently, but still. If you learn something before going to bed, you can strengthen the memorization process, because when we sleep, our subconscious synthesizes information. Accordingly, while a person is sleeping, the brain is more willing to work on memorizing information and will be able to remember it faster.

These methods are very effective and work with the subconscious. But there are also methods that work directly with consciousness and memory, training them. Let's look at them below.

Ten tricks to “Remember everything quickly!”

  1. Write down your thoughts. One of the most pleasant methods, as it involves writing down negative events and thoughts on paper before directly studying the material. Our consciousness concentrates very strongly on the negative, so it automatically remembers it. If you start studying immediately after writing down small negative details, the material will be better remembered.
  2. Trust nature. It is not for nothing that many students prefer to study material in the fresh air. Nature increases perception function by 20%. If you don’t have the opportunity to go out into nature, then give your brain a rest and look at pictures of beautiful nature, and only then start studying. This will help you learn a large amount of information at one time.
  3. Speak louder. If you need to learn foreign words, then pronounce them clearly and loudly. The volume of pronunciation increases the memorability of information by 10% when learning by heart.
  4. Add some expression. As we have already said, the more senses are involved, the better we remember. Add more emotions, gestures, facial expressions if you want to quickly learn to remember information, terms and foreign words. And learning will become more interesting!
  5. Use a voice recorder. Write down what you need to learn and turn it on in transport, before going to bed and at night. You will sleep, and your brain will remember. The amount of information can be unlimited.
  6. Keep moving. Move while absorbing and learning information by heart. Walk in circles around the room. Movement activates our brain and you can learn and remember everything better and faster.
  7. Change the picture. Let's say you need to prepare quickly for two reports (in one evening). Do this in different rooms. This way, the information will not be mixed up during reconstruction.
  8. Write down the first letters. In order to quickly and efficiently remember any information (for example, a song). Write it down on paper, and then write down only the first letters, trying to remember the word. Practice remembering by looking at the first letters, and then without this “cheat sheet”. Check it out, the song is much more memorable.
  9. Don't neglect sleep. The more sleep you get after studying the material, the better you will be able to remember it.
  10. Play sports. Before studying the material, study actively, then you will be able to even “War and Peace”.

We have looked at effective methods for memorizing this or that information, which allow you to study a large amount of material, do it efficiently and quickly. Now all that's left is practice. Go for it, the more training you do, the better the result! And remember, everything can be learned.

Mnemonics

These techniques allow you to quickly learn the information received by heart and train your brain to improve its performance.

  1. Rhyme. This method involves a different interpretation of the data obtained.
  2. Create phrases from the first letters of the data received. For example, a letter arrived and the first lines read: Good afternoon. Take the first three letters of “ext” and create a new one in any form - the day is very cheerful.
  3. Bunch. Based on the name, you can understand that we are talking about information combined with a bright illustration. For example, those items that you want to remember in English can be associated with actions. For example, we replace a fat cat with a large cat.
  4. Leads. The essence of the technique is to replace numbers with objects. Let's say 0-bagel, 1-stick, 2-goose, etc.
  5. Cicero's technique. It involves presenting items to be memorized in a familiar environment. For example, to remember words-objects in a foreign language, you need to place them in your bedroom. If you need to remember this or that word, the association comes with a familiar environment. This approach allows you to learn new words by heart using a minimum of effort.

We will not be surprised that some mnemonic techniques will be familiar to you. However, this is a whole science that allows you to strengthen your memory.

  1. Take in what you read. If there is difficulty in memorizing material, then this is often due to a lack of understanding of what has been read. For many people, in order to remember data, they need to understand it. Here it is necessary to use logic and associations that will remain in memory.
  2. Abstract. Don’t stop writing, and preferably in a abstract manner. Let's say there is an important meeting and you need to remember a large amount of information - write abstracts, i.e. highlight the main thing. This will allow you not to miss the nuances and have complete information.
  3. Structure. If you don’t like to write, then this technique will definitely suit you. Read the information, understand it, and sketch it out as a diagram. It's simple - there will always be beacons in front of you.
  4. Drawing. Perhaps the most common memorization method. How it will manifest itself for you personally is difficult to say, because... we are all individuals. The main thing is that the drawing matches the data received.
  5. Slide show. Such presentations are an effective method in business. To present the material competently, interestingly and effectively, it is enough to create an outline of the text using mind maps. There are many online programs for this.

Let us note that it is quite difficult to describe in one article all the methods that will allow you to better perceive and remember information. Therefore, we will give simple advice - theory and practice - this is the basis of excellent memory!

Few of us have not had to fall silent in embarrassment in response to an unexpected question: “You don’t recognize me? You and I recently met and got to know each other...”, and then the stranger reminds you of the time and place of your meeting. The desired image finally pops up in your memory, and you answer: “Yes, indeed, we know each other. Sorry, I didn’t remember you right away.”

How can you help yourself remember information faster and avoid getting into such awkward situations?

What is "remember"?

There are two different psychological mechanisms behind this memory process:

  • recognition;
  • playback

Recognition is based on establishing identity or similarity between objects. However, associative psychology claims that any recollection is always the launch of an associative series of images. Let's not argue. Let's just take on board the idea of ​​associative memorization.

Reproduction requires a person to actively and voluntarily reconstruct the image in consciousness. There is willpower and goal setting here. And for this case, they are looking for better ways to remember information.

5 techniques using associative thinking

Those who are looking for a non-trivial method for how to easily remember information can be advised to use the associative approach. Psychologists group all associations into 5 groups. These are associations by:

  • similarity;
  • contrast;
  • adjacency in time;
  • adjacency in place;
  • cause-and-effect relationship.

1) Technique “Memorization by similarity”. This technique is useful to use when you have a fleeting or short-term acquaintance with a person, if you want to remember him, so that you can easily recognize him in the event of your next meeting. Ask yourself, who is this person like? You can associate the image of your new acquaintance with one of the characters in the film, an artist or politician, in a word, any popular figure. Mentally name him, for example, “Well, the spitting image of Don Quixote of La Mancha - just as thin and tall, with the same sharp look and impetuous movements. And even his name is Dmitry Konstantinovich.” The next time you meet, the association with Don Quixote will tell you the initials of your friend.
2) Technique “Memorization by contrast”. Here we do exactly the opposite. Find some detail in your interlocutor that openly contrasts either with his appearance or with his (or her) name.
“The last name is Belykh, and he himself is black-haired,” - sometimes this contrast will be enough for you to recognize later.
3) Technique “Memorization based on time contiguity”. This technique is useful for memorizing a long series of numbers. Let's say you want to train your memory and remember someone's phone number without writing it down. There are a lot of numbers in front of you. It is necessary to divide the series into groups so that numbers appear in front of you that are identical to dates that are convenient and familiar to you. For example: 4561678 can be divided as follows: 45 – the end of the war, 61 – Gagarin’s flight, 678 – numbers in order. All that remains is to come up with and remember a phrase like “Victory, Gagarin, from six onwards.”

4) Technique “Memorization based on adjacency in place”. Choose as an associative basis an object that you will certainly encounter when you need to remember certain information. For example, you keep putting your car keys somewhere, and then you can’t remember where you put them. Or you leave the house first, and only then remember that you didn’t take the keys. How to effectively memorize information so that you can then recall it at the right time in the right place? In this case, it will help you to associatively link the required action (pick up the keys before leaving the house) to the action that you will perform in any case before leaving the house (for example, change your shoes for the street). Imagine an image of yourself changing your shoes before going out, and add to this picture something bright and unexpected, even silly and funny from the first act. Here are some examples of such pictures:

  • you put your foot into the shoe, and suddenly wheels appear on the sides, and it snorts and drives away right from under your nose;
  • you take the shoe, and car keys fall out of it, many different keys for cars of different brands;
  • you put on your shoes, but at this time your shoes begin to resist and, hobbling, hastily runs away from you. Or it even takes to the air and flies away, flapping its transparent wings.

The brighter and more unexpected the image (and the funnier it is), the more likely you are to remember the keys before you leave the house.
5) Technique “Association based on cause-effect relationship”. Sometimes, in order to assimilate a sufficiently large amount of necessary material, it is enough to understand the cause-and-effect relationships and assimilate one thing: either cause or effect.
This is exactly the case when understanding significantly narrows the amount of information that needs to be remembered. In other words, logic comes to the aid of memory. For example, if you have to read a number of articles in preparation for an exam, first just remember the typical structure of the article:

  • problem;
  • goal and tasks;
  • basic support positions;
  • research method;
  • results and conclusions.

Any information is much easier to assimilate and more reliably stored in memory if its structure is clear. It's like in a song or poetry, when the next line pops up by association with the previous one. Next, as you read article after article, do not try to memorize the entire content, but focus on the structure, problem and results. Everything else can be easily remembered by analogy.

With Vikium you can learn to remember information faster online

5 tricks to quickly remember information

If you are interested in learning how to quickly memorize information, choose from these techniques one or more of those that seem suitable to you. All of these techniques are designed to help organize and use what is called short-term memory, i.e. when we need information only for a certain time - for a day or just for a few hours.

1) Technique “Colorful Picture”. Suppose you have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow, and it is important not to forget anything you have planned for today. As you fall asleep, you tell yourself that you need to do the following tomorrow:

  • walk the dog in the morning;
  • on the way to work buy a bouquet of flowers;
  • at work, congratulate an employee on her birthday;
  • then sign the document with the boss;
  • return the book to a colleague;
  • in the evening on the way home to pick up my sweater from the dry cleaner.

You can, of course, put all these things in your diary. Or you can think in advance what to do to better remember the order of things, and use the “Colorful Picture” technique.

Before you fall asleep, imagine as vividly as possible the following image: your dog, dressed in a dry-cleaned sweater, holding a bouquet of flowers in its mouth, with one paw gives your boss a document for signature, and with the other hands a book to your colleague. Record this picture in your memory. You're left with this weird "to-do list" for the next day.

2) Technique "Grouping". Let's say you go to the store and you need to buy different products. You can make a list of necessary purchases in advance and check it as you move along the sales floor. You can group your purchases by topic:

  • 5 vegetables;
  • 1 bread;
  • 4 dairy products;
  • 2 meat.

And remember them in the order in which they appear in front of you in the supermarket.

3) Reception "Abbreviation". The same shopping list can be remembered by combining their initial letters into a whole word. If the list is the same as in the previous example, then you will get the word “ham meat”, and you can use it to navigate the store.

Abbreviations help memorize lists of words, for example, a list of planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto - can be converted into “mevese-musunep” and memorized that way.

4) Acrostic technique. This is similar to an abbreviation, only more convenient, because the first letters of the list of words intended to be memorized become the first letters of the words from which the sentence is built. However, everyone is familiar with this technique from childhood. It was the acrostic “Every Hunter...” that helped us remember the colors of the rainbow and their sequence.

5) Reception “Knot for memory”. To remember something important to you in the morning, perform some action in the evening that will slightly disrupt your usual algorithm for morning behavior. For example, if you need to take a multivitamin in the morning, move the toaster away from its usual place in the evening. In the morning, when you see the toaster moved, you will remember that you moved it to remind yourself to take your next morning pill.

Now you know 10 useful techniques that you can use when solving the problem of how to better remember information in everyday life.

In this article, you will learn how to better remember information using reliable methods that have already helped many people with their studies, reading and learning in general.

Whether you're reading non-fiction to study a specific topic (say, investing or internet marketing) or to study for exams, there are a few rules that will help you consistently increase your ability to remember and recall the material.

Use these rules every day and increase your learning potential.

How to remember information better:

Rule No. 1: Quick reading first, detailed reading later

People usually try to remember all the details of the material they read in one sitting, but the best way to learn complex information is to divide the reading process into two or three stages.

First, skim over the text you need to read (two or three pages will be just right), reading superficially. Don't force yourself to remember anything the first time you read it.

Now go back to the same material, reading slowly this time. Say difficult words out loud. Underline difficult words or key concepts.

If you still feel puzzled, go through the material a third time. You will be amazed at how much information fits into your head!

Rule no.2: Take notes

When learning new material (in a lecture, webinar, just reading something), take notes.

After some time, copy your notes into a notebook, collecting and summarizing all the information. You will notice that you probably wrote down some information or material that seemed very important to you during the lecture, but is no longer of interest.

Build on concepts you have written down but not clearly explained by writing down your thoughts. Look up keyword definitions and external resources. Write down the information you find in a form that is convenient for you. This will cement the information in your memory.

Rule no.3: Teach others

We remember best when we teach others. This is why study groups can be very effective if used correctly. Instead of using your group only to complete some tasks, ask your partner to “chase” you through the material you have covered, to force you to verbally repeat what you have learned.

Find someone in your class who is struggling academically and become an informal mentor for them.

If you can't find such a “student,” tell your partner or roommate what you learned in class. Don't repeat material you already know well.

Choose information that you have trouble understanding and force yourself to explain it to someone over lunch or while walking the dog. This will allow you to truly understand the essence of the material you have been learning.

Rule #4: Talk to yourself

Believe it or not, listening to your own voice will make it easier for you to remember new facts. Record yourself reading keywords and definitions out loud and listen to them later. This trick will make your self-study more effective. You'll use multiple senses at once—auditory, verbal, and visual—plus you'll be more attentive, since reading aloud requires concentration.

There is another funny trick. It consists of making a “phone handset” out of flexible PVC pipe that you could hold to your mouth and apply to your ear while reading aloud. Believe it or not, the concentrated sound of your own voice passing through this “phone” will be easier to remember than your normal voice while reading material out loud.

Rule #5: Use visual cues

Many of us remember everything through the visual channel. You can actually imprint an image of a formula, definition, or concept in your mind and be able to easily recall the information you need during a test or when needed.

Use this function of your memory by drawing pictures on flash cards or using different colored markers when writing down the information you need to remember.

For example, if you need to remember the Latin or Greek root of a word, you can draw pictures that symbolize the meaning of these words. The Latin word "aqua" means water, so you can write "aqua" with a blue marker and draw a drop next to it. The Latin word "spec" means to look, so you can draw glasses nearby.

Flashcards are also a useful tool for visual memory, especially if you use pictures and colors to make them. You may actually remember a word or formula simply because you remember how you agonized over whether you should write the definition in orange or green. Color can trigger your visual memory, which will help you access information.

Watch an interesting video about visual notes that help you quickly remember information:

Rule #6: Use a shocking stimulus

Have you ever felt while studying that you were simply unable to remember important information?

Believe it or not, using some shocking physical stimulus will help you understand and then remember complex material.

According to a study conducted on the topic: “How to remember better,” putting your hand in a bowl of ice water while studying will help you remember and then recall the information you need. This happens because negative stimuli activate the part of your brain that is responsible for memory (presumably this is to help us remember negative experiences better so as not to repeat them, but it works just as effectively for normal memory retention).

You can use ice water, something hot, or mild pain to help you remember difficult information. Try pinching your arm while holding an ice bag, or holding a cup of hot tea while studying to stimulate your memory. The main thing is not to really harm yourself!

Rule #7: Chew gum

Teachers may prohibit gum chewing in their classes because they don't want to have it ripped off from under their desks, but the act of chewing gum can help you study better and do better on tests.

One study looked at the effect of chewing gum during a test in graduate students. A study found that chewing gum helped students finish a test 20 minutes earlier.

Another study was conducted on eighth-graders taking an annual math exam. The results showed that students who chewed gum scored 3 percent higher on the test than their peers who did not chew gum.

How does chewing gum help you remember information better?

Chewing gum stimulates blood flow to the brain and helps you stay alert.

Which chewing gum works best?

It doesn't matter whether you chew gum with or without sugar. It's the taste that matters. Switch to mint-flavored gum, as mint acts as a mental stimulant and will help you feel calm and focused.

Rule #8: Participate in class even when you feel uncomfortable

Having trouble with a certain concept?

Most of us prefer to sit in a corner somewhere and remain unnoticed in the classroom until all the material is sorted out for us. But this habit will always interfere with your learning process. Raise your hand, ask a question, or volunteer to participate in a discussion about a topic you are having difficulty with.

Don't you attend group classes? Find someone who understands the topic you are interested in and ask for advice or help. Let it bother you that you don't understand something.

The discomfort you feel while performing these activities will increase your memory abilities. You will receive answers to your questions and will easily be able to recall the material later, when you need it most.

Rule #9: Highlight and paraphrase what you read

When reading a text that is difficult to understand, it may seem to you that the letters are already floating before your eyes. Underline and highlight key words and concepts as you read.

Say the words or concepts out loud as you highlight them, and then write (and paraphrase) the material in your notebook. This will help you digest all the information rather than just skim through it.

Rule #10: Make up rhymes or songs

You won't need to do this trick with most material, of course, but you may find it useful to come up with poems, rhymes, or catchy songs to help you remember particularly difficult formulas.

You may find it easier to remember the formula if you come up with a musical setting for it.

How do formulas help you remember information better?

Many formulas do not make any sense to us. They look like a list of random numbers and letters, or they seem like a bunch of random instructions that lack a cohesive element.

If you turn a formula into a song or poem, you will become aware of what once seemed irrational, and this comprehension of the material will allow your brain to better perceive the information and store it in a way that it can be easily accessed later.

Rule no.11: Look for associations

Likewise, the association method can help you find connections between dates or individual facts that you need to remember in a certain order.

Find a way to connect the date and name so that it makes some sense, using numbers or words. You've probably done something similar before, when you needed to remember a password or phone number.

Find a way to connect the number to the name in a way that makes sense to you and the question of how best to remember information will not be so pressing for you.

Rule no.12: Take breaks while studying

If you study consistently over a long period of time, you may notice that your productivity drops the longer you study. Research shows that you should take a 10-minute break every hour while studying to maximize productivity.

Why should such a break consist?

Be sure to get up, go to the toilet, drink something or have a snack. It is best to leave the room you are sitting in and move around a bit to improve blood flow. If you have the opportunity, jump or stretch to get an adrenaline rush and perk up. After that, you can get back to work.

Rule no.13: Find a practical application

Having trouble remembering a formula or theory?

The problem is that you probably haven't found a practical application for this concept in life, so your brain still doesn't want to remember it.

Imagine how this formula or concept could be used in practice to solve a real-life problem. If possible, act out or mentally imagine the impact of this problem in a practical way. This will help you understand the formula or concept and, if necessary, easily recall it.

Rule no.14: Create a Physical Image

Some concepts are difficult to understand until you see a physical image of them or an illustration of the idea.

For example, you can appreciate the importance of microscopic analysis by looking at an image of a DNA strand or the anatomy of a cell. If you can't create a physical image or picture, find an image online. This will help you visualize the problem clearly.

Rule no.15: Read important information before bed

Our brain continues to work even when we sleep. Read your notes again before going to bed so that your brain can better absorb the material while you sleep.

Don't read anything that makes you anxious or upset (you risk disturbing your sleep). Instead, use this trick to reinforce concepts and information you'll need later.

Rule no.16: Practice breathing exercises

Stress suppresses your ability to concentrate and makes it difficult to access information you've already learned.

This is why you can easily understand a concept in class, but then get stumped while writing a test. You know that information is somewhere in the back of your mind, but you just can't access it. This happens because stress shuts down your ability to concentrate on anything, leaving you with only the fight-or-flight response.

To combat stress, do this for three to five minutes.

Find a quiet place, set a timer, close your eyes, and then focus solely on your breathing. Inhale as deeply as possible, hold your breath until you feel slight discomfort, and then exhale slowly until you feel complete relief.

Repeat in this manner, without worrying about anything and focusing all your attention on how good it feels to simply breathe, until the timer rings.

Try the above methods of memorizing information and find the most effective ones for you.

Good luck learning new information!

This might interest you:

We learn throughout our lives, from childhood to old age. Playing the guitar, new software, raising a child - the human brain constantly absorbs new information, although this happens at different speeds. In childhood, information is absorbed very quickly, but the older we get, the more difficult it is to learn.

Below you will see several ways that will help you hack your mind and make it work faster and better.

Maintenance

Like any complex mechanism, the brain requires regular maintenance, and if you do not neglect it, it can cope with any task. A few good habits can help keep your brain in tip-top condition, so the learning process will be faster and easier.

Play sports

I don't trust a single thought that didn't come while I was moving.

It turns out that physical exercise is necessary not only for a great figure and a healthy body, but also for brain function. If your brain refuses to think, try going for a walk or working out at the gym. Research shows that memory and clarity of thinking improve after just 15 minutes of exercise.

Meditate

Regular meditation not only relieves stress but also helps improve your memory. In addition, during meditation, concentration skills are developed, which is very important for the learning process.

More Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

These essential acids restore impaired nervous processes such as attention, speed of thinking and memory. Omega-3 acids are found in abundance in flaxseed oil and walnuts, peanuts and pumpkin seeds. There are also a lot of them in fatty fish - salmon, mackerel, sardines and halibut. It’s not for nothing that they say that fish helps you think better.

Get enough sleep

In order for the brain to function normally, you need to get enough sleep. Good sleep improves your perceptual speed, helps you make sound judgments, and keeps your brain functioning quickly.

If you repeat learned material, for example, a poem or a lecture, before going to bed, the information will be firmly fixed in your memory overnight and you will have excellent command of the subject in the morning.

Drink water

Scientists from the University of East London have found that drinking simple water helps you concentrate better and solve complex problems. The results of the experiment, published in the Daily Mail, show that thirsty people think 14% slower. So always keep a water bottle handy.

Take a break from studying

You can’t do only one thing every day - work or study. It is important to periodically be distracted by something else so that the brain takes stock and processes the information during this time.

If you decide to take up a hobby, choose activities that require concentration and hand-eye coordination, such as juggling. One study found that juggling has positive effects on brain function. True, positive results occurred immediately after people gave up a new hobby.

Have fun

Laughter is the best way to relax and avoid burnout, especially when you're learning at a fast pace. Laughter has been proven to help you find solutions to problems and be creative.

How to facilitate the process of cognition itself?

Brain workout

Before you dive into work, you can have a little fun, simultaneously tuning your brain to work. For example, you can mentally select rhymes for words or solve a simple problem. This “warm-up” helps you relax and tune in to perceive more complex things.

Study together

If your training feels like storming a fortress, you can find someone to support you. Whether it's a group, a club, or a friend, being on a team makes it easier to focus on the material and make the learning process more organized.

Robert E. Kennedy Library at Cal Poly /flickr.com

Arrange the place

The environment is very important for learning. Ideally, the space should be clean, quiet and fresh, but variety is a good idea. For example, in good weather, you can try working in a park or in a cozy cafe. The only thing that should not be mixed is training and bed. Even if it is very comfortable, the bed is subconsciously associated with sleep and relaxation, so it will be more difficult for you to concentrate.

Metacognition

Most tips for improving learning revolve around metacognition. This concept can be defined as the art of awareness of one's own consciousness. You evaluate your own thinking, your ability to complete the task, and the goals that are appropriate for it.

You need to step back from your first impression of the material and evaluate how quickly you are absorbing knowledge, whether there are any problems and ways to study more productively.

Do one thing at a time

Multitasking is a real talent, but unfortunately, it reduces your work efficiency. If you do several things at the same time, it is impossible to concentrate well on them, so the time required to complete the task increases.


Don't be afraid of failure

A team of researchers from Singapore found that people who solved complex math problems without instructions or help were more likely to fail. However, in the process they found interesting ideas that helped them in the future.

This can be called “productive failure”, when the experience gained during the decision process will help many times in the future. So don't be afraid of failures - they will come in handy.

Test yourself

Don't wait for the last exam - test yourself often or ask a friend to give you a short test. “Productive failure” only works with finding solutions, and if you fail an exam that required rote memorization, it will not help your learning, it will only hinder it.

Reduce material

It's helpful to supplement your notes with visual elements such as graphs, charts, or maps.

Think about where it can be applied

Very often, when presenting facts and formulas, the scope of their application is missed. Dry knowledge is quickly forgotten, and if you want to remember something for a long time, try to independently find application in real life. Knowing how, where and why to apply facts in real life will firmly cement the information in your memory.

Use different methods

The more diverse the sources of knowledge, the more likely it is that it will remain in your memory.

The coordinated work of different areas of the brain improves the perception and retention of information.

For example, this could be reading articles, listening to audio materials, watching videos, writing or retyping by hand, or speaking out loud. The main thing is not to do everything at the same time.

Connect with existing knowledge

If you can mentally connect your knowledge with what you have learned before, it will help you learn more quickly and effectively. Don't leave knowledge isolated - integrate it into the larger picture of the world that you have in your brain.

You will succeed

Be confident in yourself and know that you will succeed. Not only because it's true, but also because belief in the power of one's intelligence actually increases it.

In their review study, an approach was proposed - learn to read by reading. Let’s apply it to the development of memory - we will develop memory by remembering material that is important and interesting to us, and not abstract words and objects.
Moreover, this is the basic rule discussed in the previous article

To begin with, let's create ideal conditions for memorizing, say, a poetic passage. We choose the one we like, which we would like to keep in our memory for a long time.

Why start with ideal conditions?

At this stage, it is important to use the full potential of our memory when all distractions have been eliminated. Brain activity, as well as physical activity, requires favorable conditions.
Our task is to spend a minimum of effort to achieve the best result.
We determine the time when memorization will be most productive.

1. The influence of fatigue.
Not the best time if you are tired, upset, anxious and loaded with problems. Otherwise, you will become even more tired and are unlikely to remember anything, much less remember it the next day. It is also an unfavorable time when you are physically tired or have an exacerbation of a chronic illness. Overwork- the main reason for forgetting.
Yes, you will remember in this state, but only a small fraction of what you tried to memorize.

2. Daily biorhythms.
All activities of the human body are subject to certain rhythmic vibrations, like all living things in nature. And the most important biorhythm - daily.

The state of our intellectual activity is also subject to daily fluctuations, although we may not notice it. In the first hours after waking up, the head is “clear” and the energy is greatest. As the day passes, fatigue accumulates. Memory productivity also decreases throughout the day. Sleep restores vitality. Sleep from 10 pm to 6 am is the healthiest and most fulfilling.

Thus, it is in the morning that we fully master all our abilities. This is the rule, although there are exceptions, for example, Dostoevsky worked at night, almost until dawn.

Peaks of activity alternate with hours of decline.
Maximum activity observed: from 5 to 6 o'clock, from 11 to 12 o'clock, from 16 to 17 o'clock, from 20 to 21 o'clock, from 24 to 1 am.

Despite the fact that one of the peaks of our performance occurs at 24 - 1 o'clock in the morning, it is not a natural activity, and in the following days such people's performance sharply decreases. Such disturbances in the natural rhythm of sleep lead to coronary heart disease, hypertension, chronic fatigue, etc.

Decline in activity: from 2 to 3 o'clock, from 9 to 10 o'clock, from 14 to 15 o'clock, from 18 to 19 o'clock, from 22 to 23 o'clock.

Scientists have found that maximum performance is observed from 10 to 12 hours, then its level drops slightly and from 16 to 18 hours increases slightly again. But this is only true for some people.

About 30% have maximum performance indicators only in the evening hours, and 45 - 50% have the same level of performance throughout the entire working day. These groups of people are conventionally called "larks", "owls" and "pigeons".

The work capacity of “night owls” is usually postponed to the evening, when the body has to expend additional effort to stay awake. And this wears out the body prematurely.

Briefly:
Owl- This is someone who gets up late and goes to bed late. It is very difficult to get up in the morning. Continues to sleep on the go for another hour or two after waking up.
Lark- those who go to bed early wake up early, and very easily. In the morning he is in a “blow”, but by the evening the energy runs out.

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