Unconventional ways to memorise facts
IF time at the library isn’t working for you, try these unconventional study techniques.
Train yourself
Take a tip from the animal trainers and set yourself a schedule whereby you study to earn treats. Think a clock, a pack of chocolate biscuits and a book.
You are allowed a biscuit every time you finish a chapter, and one biscuit on the half hour. If you find you’re cheating yourself, get a study partner to test you and award treats.
Get comfy
Maybe sitting up and being in a study environment is making you twitchy. Try curling up on your bed or go to a park.
Note: don’t study in bed late at night or you may push yourself into insomnia. Picking up a book first thing in the morning is perfect though.
Be your teacher
Teaching means breaking down the information into chunks and presenting it in a logical order. So pretend you are holding a class and prepare your class notes. Stand up and give a lecture. If it works, you will have learned what you need to know.
Write song lyrics
If you need to learn lists of things, make them memorable by putting them to song.
You can just pick a tune you love and put in the words to suit but rhyming will boost memory retention and if you have a guitar or a piano, and can write your own music, even better.
Make flashcards
Kids learn their ABCs by using flashcards so borrow the technique and make yourself a set. Each card should be very short so look at one fact or a snapshot of three points.
Print them out, shuffle them around and flash to yourself five times a day until the stuff’s imprinted in your mind.