20 Jan 6 ways to remember things better
As teens across the nation are continuing with remote learning, it is no surprise that students and parents alike have a lot to juggle at the moment. Adapting to the home classroom in itself can be a particularly testing task, and one which can take some easing into.
In particular, with the recent adjustments to all-things learning, it is understandable that trying to remember newly learnt content can be especially tricky right now. But luckily there’s a plethora or simple yet effective methods which can really help to make information stick in our brains – some of them can also be really fun, too!
Plus, there’s a method suitable for everyone, regardless of age group, subject or academic level – most information will be applicable to at least one of these methods.
Co-founder of MyTutor, Bertie Hubbard, shares 6 methods of retaining information you’ve learnt:
1. Draw a picture
If you tend to remember how things look, or think of yourself as a visual learner, making little diagrams to illustrate any piece of info you want to memorise can be really effective. This could mean making visual flashcards to remember foreign words, or adding pictures next to term definitions in Biology to help you remember scientific processes.
2. Make rhymes
If you’re always remembering song lyrics but find revision a slog, try inventing rhymes to sum up concepts in different subjects. This is also known as mnemonics (fancy word alert!). For example, “Columbus sailed the ocean blue in fourteen hundred and ninety two” helps you memorise the year Christopher Columbus set off on his voyage that got him to America. You get the idea!
3. Use acronyms
Acronyms are another great way to memorise tricky concepts that could otherwise go in one ear and out the other. You’ve probably heard of ‘PEE’ – a handy acronym used in English essay writing. To write a paragraph you start with the Point you’re making, then Evidence that point (normally with a quotation), and then Explain what you mean.
4. Copy things out
AKA rote learning – one of the oldest ways for students to remember things! But the truth is, repetitive as it may be (which is kind of the point) this is often one of the most effective ways to get big sets of new information to stick. It’s the most common method used for learning Chinese characters (Chinese toddlers and UK university students alike), and it’s generally the best way to learn quotations for English too. It is better suited to verbal learners though, so if it really doesn’t work for you then fear not, you’ve still got options.
5. Make a story
Inventing a story to sum up a series of facts or a complicated spelling is another type of mnemonic. If you’re trying to remember lines of the periodic table, for example, pulling it all together with a story narrative gives you a structure where you can place triggers to remember each chemical group.
6. Teach someone else
One of the best ways to remember things is by explaining it to someone else. Whether you’re a really social person or more introverted, finding someone to “teach” can be a a great way to learn and revise. As we’re all currently at home, a nice way to fend off isolation and boost your learning at the same time (the dream!) is by having a study session on video chat with a friend. You can take turns to explain concepts, topics and facts to one another, and try testing each other too. You could also see how your Mum, Dad or sibling enjoys one of your subjects by giving them a presentation on what you’ve been learning recently.
On top of these tips, MyTutor is offering free online group tuition this term for GCSE subjects, helping to support with remote learning during this disrupted period in education. The free daily drop-in sessions are a great addition to set work – to book your place, visit https://www.mytutor.co.uk.