Improve the Memory for Higher Exam Grades
Make the Most of Study Time for Better Test Results
Mar 14, 2009
Exam grades are imperative in this competitive world, and most of the results rely upon the long term memory. A few things are useful to bear in mind when trying to maximize recall at the time needed and improving exam results.
Make the Most of Revision Time
Maslow’s pyramid of human needs is of primary importance. How many can remember trawling through pages of text for hours beyond the threshold of an aching head? It might seem obvious, but comfort is paramount for brain to function optimally. Abraham Maslow was a psychologist. He wrote a paper entitled A Theory of Human Motivation (1943) which identifies human needs, such as food, water and shelter etc. If these needs have been satisfied, emotional needs will take precedence, safety, belonging, feeling secure, and so on.
This might be obvious but it is often overlooked. A comfortable room and a relaxed mood will make better learning time than sitting in a draughty room harbouring anxieties.
How Never to Forget Again
The brain learns better if the information is broken into small manageable chunks. Tony Buzan is an author and an educational consultant. He coined the term "mind maps". His book, Use your Head [BBC Active, 2006] describes his theory on how the mind understands information better if it is in the form of a map with illustrations, as opposed to lines of text.
Creating a mind map involves looking at a subject from the whole to the particular. Write the topic title in the centre of the page. Scan the textbook and identify subtopics or chapters. Use keywords to identify each. For example, Human Biology might be broken down into heart, lungs, blood, reproduction and so forth. Write each subtopic around the central topic title and create a sort of tree, with branches coming out of the central topic heading.
Help the Brain Retain Information
Break the subtopics down further. Use colours, small illustrations and keywords in your mind map. This will make the information mind friendly. Sometimes a key word or an illustration will jog the memory of a chunk of information and dispense with reams of text. Spend time over your mind map; use bright colours and plenty of illustrations.
Taking Regular Breaks for Optimum Learning
Less is more. Take regular breaks at fifteen-minute intervals. Tony Buzan's The Open Mind Programme explains how concentration and memory is at its best at the beginning and at the end of any study session. Getting up and walking around will increase blood flow to the brain.
Regular Exposure to Information for Better Recall
Make time work for you will improve memory. Read an item required for recall. You don’t necessarily have to study it in depth or take much time. Read the same item the next day, and the next. Now take a break and read the same item the following week. Repeat the task with ever increasing time intervals up to six months or so. Repeated exposure to the information will encourage the information to move from the short term memory into the long term memory.
Motivation to Learn
Of course, motivation must play a part, whether it is personal or financial. It is interesting to note that the most powerful motivation to learn something is fear. Fear of failure, fear of ridicule.
Take the Pain From Revising and Studying
Work with the brain, not against it. Address the issues of Maslow's Pyramid of Human Needs, employ mind maps, using illustrations, key words and bright colours, take regular breaks and expose the brain to the item at regular intervals to shift it from the short term memory to the long term memory. This will optimise study time.
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