January 2024: Memorization, Unpacked

Remember the last time you sat down to memorize something? You got through the first few parts, but nothing seemed to stick, so you took a snack break. When you finally satisfied your appetite and returned to memorizing, you were back to square one. 

Let’s face it- memorizing large amounts of information can get frustrating. 

Memorization is a skill and one that doesn’t often come naturally- yet ironically, it is absolutely essential in higher education. Having strong, long-term retention is invaluable, but takes strategy and practice. 

So, how do we get there? Well, everyone takes a slightly different route, but here are some recommended techniques from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

1. Check for understanding! If you can’t explain what you’re memorizing to another person, chances are you won’t memorize it. 

2. Put it on paper. Writing information out helps to cement it into our memory, primarily because it relies on the connection between the hand and the brain. 

3. Use mnemonics and tie information to existing knowledge. For our fellow musicians- remember the mnemonics for each clef when you first learned to read music? Mnemonics are a valuable learning tool, so create and use them when you can! 

4. Good old sleep and exercise. Several studies show that the brain processes and stores information while we sleep. Even catnaps help! Additionally, research supports that exercise enhances learning abilities and memory. So next time, go for that jog! 

5. Practice aloud and in intervals. Believe it or not, talking to yourself can be a useful memorizing tool (I’m not crazy!) Some other important points are repeated practice, and gradually increasing the amount of time between each revision. When you first memorize information, frequent practice ensures that it remains in your memory. Spacing out revisions helps test and strengthen your recall. 

All in all, memorization can be a challenge. Like any challenge, though, the key to conquering it lies in identifying and implementing what works best for you. 

Want more tips? Check out the full article at:

https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/enhancing-your-memory/

Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome! Share them with me at vtocdenglish@gmail.com. 

Until next time, 

Anoushka Majumder

Curriculum Director of English