How to improve memory?
October 24, 2015 2:01 PM Subscribe
I'm wanting to improve my rote memory and not sure exactly how or where to start.
I think my memory seems to have weaken these past few months. I would like to attempt to improve it, if there are any tips. Chiefly on how to improve remembering bits of information and ideas (with lecture notes and literature). Just wondering: what has worked for you? In terms of diet, multivitamins, books, exercise, mind maps, sleeping, et cetera. Are there things to avoid to improve memory? Frankly, I wonder if GMO foods have an impact on slowing my memory down as well.
Thanks,
RearWindow
I think my memory seems to have weaken these past few months. I would like to attempt to improve it, if there are any tips. Chiefly on how to improve remembering bits of information and ideas (with lecture notes and literature). Just wondering: what has worked for you? In terms of diet, multivitamins, books, exercise, mind maps, sleeping, et cetera. Are there things to avoid to improve memory? Frankly, I wonder if GMO foods have an impact on slowing my memory down as well.
Thanks,
RearWindow
Having read a bunch of books on the topic I would say that the issue isn't so much about improving your memory as it is about decreasing forgetting. I know that seems like a semantic difference, but really it's not.
For example, there is really no way to improve short term memory. You are stuck with the ability to remember only between 5 and 9 items over a short period of time. If those don't some how make it to long term memory, they will quickly be lost. Short term memory has been proven, definitively, to be resistant to change. There are a bunch of tricks you can learn to link short term items to long term memory, thus seemingly improving short term memory. But not really. You're just creating anchors to long term memory. This is how people count cards, for example, or remember pi to a ridiculous number of decimal points. But, if you don't revisit these items, the memories will fade. There are books on this. They best currently is "Moonwalking with Einstein." I don't think that's what you need, but you'll still find a lot of interesting ideas in there. One way it helps is by providing techniques to make memories more visual and emotional, which decreases forgetting.
Ok, so, short term memory sucks, but long term is pretty good. Not great, mind you, but good. This is where the not forgetting part comes in. Your long term memory is virtually limitless. I'm sure you've heard stories of people who can remember every single detail of every moment of their lives, down to what the temperature was on specific days. You don't want that kind of memory. By all accounts it's painful and a genetic quirk.
What you need are ways of getting information into long term memory and then stopping it from degrading over time. Memories will naturally degrade over time unless you revisit them. The best way to revisit is through spaced repetition. We live in an age where spaced repetition is getting easier and easier. Before it was done with cue cards, now you can use programs like memrise or anki. These programs are essentially electronic cue cards that tell you when you need to remember something to keep it fresh. They also help you make novel visual links to aid remembering. A great book on this is "Fluent Forever." It's about how to learn languages, but it can be used to remember anything. It has a particularly good section on how to use anki well.
Finally, download Scientific American Mind Volume 24, Issue 4. The whole issue is about learning. They published a particularly great article on what works and what doesn't work in learning. High level summary, if you're trying to remember something, don't bother with rereading or highlighting. These are actually counter productive. Best ways to remember are self-testing and distributed practice. In the end, both are forms of spaced repetition.
I've never read anything definitive about diet affecting memory, but sleep and exercise for sure. Not getting enough sleep hugely affects performance on academic tasks. Pulling all nighters, for example, is very bad for memory. And exercise, well that pretty much affects everything, so do it if you're not.
posted by trigger at 5:02 PM on October 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
For example, there is really no way to improve short term memory. You are stuck with the ability to remember only between 5 and 9 items over a short period of time. If those don't some how make it to long term memory, they will quickly be lost. Short term memory has been proven, definitively, to be resistant to change. There are a bunch of tricks you can learn to link short term items to long term memory, thus seemingly improving short term memory. But not really. You're just creating anchors to long term memory. This is how people count cards, for example, or remember pi to a ridiculous number of decimal points. But, if you don't revisit these items, the memories will fade. There are books on this. They best currently is "Moonwalking with Einstein." I don't think that's what you need, but you'll still find a lot of interesting ideas in there. One way it helps is by providing techniques to make memories more visual and emotional, which decreases forgetting.
Ok, so, short term memory sucks, but long term is pretty good. Not great, mind you, but good. This is where the not forgetting part comes in. Your long term memory is virtually limitless. I'm sure you've heard stories of people who can remember every single detail of every moment of their lives, down to what the temperature was on specific days. You don't want that kind of memory. By all accounts it's painful and a genetic quirk.
What you need are ways of getting information into long term memory and then stopping it from degrading over time. Memories will naturally degrade over time unless you revisit them. The best way to revisit is through spaced repetition. We live in an age where spaced repetition is getting easier and easier. Before it was done with cue cards, now you can use programs like memrise or anki. These programs are essentially electronic cue cards that tell you when you need to remember something to keep it fresh. They also help you make novel visual links to aid remembering. A great book on this is "Fluent Forever." It's about how to learn languages, but it can be used to remember anything. It has a particularly good section on how to use anki well.
Finally, download Scientific American Mind Volume 24, Issue 4. The whole issue is about learning. They published a particularly great article on what works and what doesn't work in learning. High level summary, if you're trying to remember something, don't bother with rereading or highlighting. These are actually counter productive. Best ways to remember are self-testing and distributed practice. In the end, both are forms of spaced repetition.
I've never read anything definitive about diet affecting memory, but sleep and exercise for sure. Not getting enough sleep hugely affects performance on academic tasks. Pulling all nighters, for example, is very bad for memory. And exercise, well that pretty much affects everything, so do it if you're not.
posted by trigger at 5:02 PM on October 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
The problem is that you want your memory to be rote. The people with the best memories don't use mechanical methods for memorization — they use much more complex mnemonic devices. You should read Moonwalking with Einstein and this NYT article.
posted by Brittanie at 5:04 PM on October 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Brittanie at 5:04 PM on October 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
« Older A realistic gun at a kids halloween party? | What are the most beautiful editions of the Koran? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by guster4lovers at 2:09 PM on October 24, 2015 [2 favorites]