Memorization tips and tricks?

May 26, 2004 8:47 PM

Exam time. 2 weeks until some massive exams, which mostly consist of memorising and regurgitating code snippets and proofs for maths theorems out. Any tips/hints for last minute revision to round off longer term memorisation?
posted by Mossy to Education (9 answers total)

My method for straight-up memorization is to use note cards. That way I can memorize in snippets. To get the long term action going (assuming you're a visual learner), I go over the note cards in my head without them in front of me so the oppurtunity to "cheat" isn't there. If I can be doing something and simultaneously spew off a certain note card from rote, I will usually remember it for some time to come.

Though I've never tried it out, one trick a lot of people use in the sciences is to write things out a LOT of times until you can write it out without thinking about it. I.E: we had to memorize the citric acid cycle in biochem and by writing out the cycle countless times, some of my friends can remember the cycle for a good chunch of time after the exam. However, this is a very time consuming method and bad handwriting can royally scew up the results.
posted by jmd82 at 9:12 PM on May 26, 2004

Rewrite your notes. (You have notes, yes? If not, make some NOW.) The act of writing helps transfer stuff to long-term storage.

Obtain old exam papers and review the questions. I imagine the university library will have them. Lecturers usually recycle questions with minor changes. At worst you will have an idea of the scope and scale of the questions.

Create summary pages of things you need at your fingertips and stick them up around the house - on the fridge door, for example.

If you are allowed to take gum into the exam, chew gum while you study, then chew gum in your exam and let the miracle of state-induced learning help you.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 9:32 PM on May 26, 2004

When it comes to math proofs it's best to really understand why the proof works, then it is not necessary to memorize all the details - you'll be able to work them out on the spot. Plus, from extensive experience grading math exams, I can tell you that it's very easy to tell when a student tries to memorize a proof without understanding it.
posted by epimorph at 2:02 AM on May 27, 2004

You could also consider using some kind of Mnemonics technique to help with memorizing. It is helpful for most people, and good for retaining large amounts of information.
posted by orbit at 10:04 AM on May 27, 2004

...and play some pinball before the exams. Clears your head.

Don't get caught up in the mass of worried individuals franticly doing last minute studying or pacing back and forth or bitching about the last assignment or crying or whatever it is they all do.

(ok, a little anecdotic, but it worked for me)
posted by sleslie at 2:24 PM on May 27, 2004

Law school finals in 2 weeks, allow me to share the wealth:

Condense your notes by hand and then again type the bastards out. Then, and only then, Joe's spleen is right.

Go over again and again the past papers.

Sit exams. Do well

Come and buy me a drink!! ;-)

Seriously tho', best of luck!
posted by dmt at 4:35 PM on May 27, 2004

Yeah, by "rewrite" I meant you should paraphrase and summarise, not merely transcribe.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 5:13 PM on May 27, 2004

Response by poster: Aha! Gum! That's what I've been missing! The sad thing is, I'm not even joking - I chewed a ridiculous amount through school during exam time..

Thanks for the advice guys, I've kicked up productivity 476% in the last day.

epimorph - I understand the majority, but most advanced linear proofs tend to involve a dash of trickery mixed in there which I always forget..

Imma try mnemonics tmrw - cool name :)
posted by Mossy at 5:44 PM on May 27, 2004

Response by poster: http://web.archive.org/web/20011228225355/www.vcld.org/pages/newsletters/fall_00/mnemonic.htm

archive.org cache of mnemonics link from orbit, main site seems to be dead.
posted by Mossy at 5:55 PM on May 27, 2004