Memory Tips for Students

By: Anne Hoover (1998)

• Sort Information: Help your retrieval system by putting new information into categories. You can group by dates, people, formulas, etc. It may help to make a chart as you study.
• Frequent review: Studying new information the same day you heard or read it will improve memory significantly. A small review each day is essential if you have memory problems.
• Use humor or exaggeration: Information stays in memory longer if it is related to something novel and interesting. Make up something funny or exaggerated that ties into what needs to be memorized.
• Explore the senses: Try learning the information visually, verbally, and kinesthetically and find which sense works best for you. Some people need to combine two or more senses.
• Color code: By using colored pens, highlighters, post-it notes and flags, index cards, etc. you can make an impression on your memory. This is a way of sorting information for storage as you assign colors.
• Make visual aids: Draw pictures or cartoon characters, graphs, tables, charts, time lines, etc. to aid memory. Even simple stick figures and drawings are useful if you are a visual learner. Pay attention to pictures, charts, etc. in textbooks.
• Rehearse aloud: Verbal rehearsal is an effective memory tool. Study with someone or use a tape recorder to say what needs to be memorized aloud.
• Make it physical: Adding a physical activity such as pacing, jumping, throwing a ball, or writing enhances the memory for many people. Typing or rewriting notes is a very effective memory device for people who need to learn kinesthetically.

The Kingsbury Center is a nonprofit educational organization that provides comprehensive services to support children and adults with learning disabilities through its Tutoring Services, Assessment Services and Kingsbury Day School.