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Memory Principles

Here are a few memory or learning principles with a brief definition of each.
Click on the principle for more details.

Interest - In order to remember something thoroughly, you must be interested in it. You must have a reason to learn it.

Intent to Remember has much to do with whether you remember something or not. A key factor to remembering is having a positive attitude that you will remember.

Basic Background -Your understanding of new materials depends to a great degree on how much you already know about the subject. The more you increase your basic knowledge, the easier it is to build new knowledge on this background.

Selectivity- You must determine what is most important and select those parts to study and learn.

Meaningful Organization - You can learn and remember better if you can group ideas into some sort of meaningful categories or groups.

Recitation- Saying ideas aloud in your own words is probably the most powerful tool you have to transfer information from short-term to long-term memory.

Mental Visualization - Another powerful memory principle is making a mental picture of what needs to be remembered. By visualizing, you use an entirely different part of the brain than you did by reading or listening.

Association - Memory is increased when facts to be learned are associated with something familiar to you.

Consolidation -Your brain must have time for new information to soak in. When you make a list or review your notes right after class, you are using the principle of consolidation.

Distributed Practice- A series of shorter study sessions distributed over several days is preferable to fewer

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