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Some
things we remember better. Some we forget quickly. Some people leave
a lasting impression on us and we remember them for long. But
in case of some, we do not register mentally even their names. Why
is it that our memory does not always work uniformly? Why some have
good memory compared to others?
Good memory
is not a product of some special gift, except very rarely. It is
mostly a product of organized and conscious effort on the part of
each individual, fired by the need to know and remember or succeed
in some specific way. It is both an art and science which can
yield wonderful results through persistent efforts. Even a little
practice and some general awareness of the factors that lead to
better memory may yield some positive results.
Interest: This is the rule: "If you are not interested
you do not remember." We remember what interests us. We remember
that with which we can relate ourselves in some tangible way. We
remember that which invoke our curiosity or that which touches us
deeply. If you are specially interested in a particular subject or
event, you are less likely to forget it. So to improve memory, you
have to cultivate interest in the subject you want to
remember.
Attention: This is the second rule: :If you are not
interested you will not pay attention, and if you do not pay
attention, you will not remember." Pay attention to the details.
Look for distinguishing features. Compare and contrast things with
things similar or dissimilar. See them as if you are seeing them for
the first time. Shut down the mental noise as you observe and
assimilate. Let your senses do their best. As the Buddhists say, "be
mindful " and let the senses do the rest.
The process
of observation consists of four essential elements, namely
concentration, focus, creative pause and conscious appreciation.
Concentration and focusing are not one and the same. They serve the
same purpose but in different ways. Concentration is in relation to
a specific spot, while focusing is in relation to a specific area.
In concentration you see minute details, while in focusing you see
the larger picture, the parts as well as the whole. The creative
pause helps you to look at things anew, from various angles and
become consciously aware of what has been observed. As you pause, as
you concentrate, as you focus your attention, you are likely to
remember better.
Comprehension: This is the third rule: You do not
remember what you do not understand. You remember what you can
comprehend, what is familiar or that which makes some sense to you.
It is therefore essential that you analyze and try to understand
what you are learning. Clear your doubts and seek clarifications,
make mental notes or write explanatory notes, till you are certain
that you understand fully what is to be remembered.
Repetition: This is the fourth rule: Let the memory be
etched in your mind so that it can last for long. let it not be like
a foot print in the sand, to be blown away after a brief existence.
Reread, rewrite, redraw, memorize till the subject is firmly fixed
in your mind. Some subjects require more effort, some less, but in
all cases more repetitions ensure better remembrance.
Review: From time to time, review what is remembered.
Review is a way of consolidating your memory, of keeping the neuron
connections alive, of resurfacing that which has been pushed back by
the new layers of knowledge.
Application: Apply what you have learned. Practice
that which you have grasped. Put your theoretical knowledge to
practical use. If you are learning a language and have learned new
words, start using them in your conversation. If you have learned
new techniques of operating some instrument or system, start putting
those techniques into practice.
Recall: Review and recall serve the same purpose. But
recall is slightly different from review in the sense that it is
essentially a mental exercise, in which you try to deliberately
remember what you have experienced some time in the past. In review
you use external aids like books, papers, maps etc, where as in
recall you rely more on your mind and your ability to think,
visualize and reconstruct mentally what you want to remember.
Association: Certain things invoke the memory of
certain other things. It is because of the associations we form
mentally in our minds. Since all human knowledge is relative, we
remember things in association with other things. We all tend to
associate new knowledge with the old knowledge that is already
stored in our minds. The process is akin to the way we organize
information in files for ready reference. You can improve your
memory by making this process a little more deliberate. Suppose you
have learned something new about the Internet. Try to connect it
with the information you already have in your mind about Internet.
This will help you to establish continuity and connectivity and
integrate your new knowledge with the existing knowledge. Whenever
you learn something new, ask yourself, "How can I connect it with
the information I already have? What is new in what I have learned
now? Where can I place it in the context of the the current data I
already have?." This will help you to expand your knowledge base as
well as improve your memory of the same.
Imagination: Does imagination help memory? Yes to some
extent. For example, exaggerate in your imagination in some peculiar
way what you have learned and the chances are you will remember it
better. Suppose you have read something and want to remember it.
Create an image map of it mentally or visualize the whole thing
mentally as if you are seeing a film or a picture. Place the events
and characters in that film as creatively as you can. Develop
interesting associations. This will enable you to remember the
subject more efficiently and also for longer periods. Students of
history can greatly benefit from this exercise. So also the students
of science, especially when they want to remember the various
processes that take place at celluar, atomic or sub atomic levels
which they cannot perceive through normal means.
Additional Factors
Physical
health: Good health is the basis for good memory. A mind that is
troubled by the problems of sickness and general weakness cannot
concentrate, cannot pay full attention since its resources are
diverted mostly towards the exercise of self preservation. The brain
and the nervous system should receive their usual dose of vitamins
and minerals, glucose and healthy blood and also adequate rest and
relief so that they can replenish and rejuvenate themselves to work
more efficiently.
Mental
health: A mind which is in constant chatter with itself cannot
register things properly. Negative emotions such as fear, anxiety
and anger greatly reduce the flow of incoming information. Negative
attitudes, prejudice, " I already know", or "what is there to learn"
attitudes equally damage chances of good memory. An open mind, a
certain degree of humility, willingness to learn, to be corrected,
enhance your ability to learn and comprehend and thereby your
ability to remember.
Organize: The mind in many ways works like the
computer. Just as you organize information in your computer in a
meaningful way, you should organize information in your personal
zone in some methodical way so that you can retrieve information
with minimum effort. Your personal zone consists of your self and
the environment in which you live and operate. Use your mind
efficiently and for the higher purpose of making yourself more
effective and efficient in whatever you do. Store only useful
information, that which helps you achieve your goals. Do not imitate
others, but go by your own needs and aspirations. Just because your
neighbor can instantly recall all the telephone numbers, there is no
need for you to compete with him and clutter your mind with
telephone numbers. You can instead organize your list of essential
telephone numbers in some way and keep it handy in some specific
place. What is more important is to know how your mind works and
what it is comfortable with, so that you can organize yourself
accordingly. Organize your environment so that you mind is at peace
with itself and its resources are not frittered away in finding
things or arranging things. | 
