Exam Skills: 6 tips about training your memory

Many students have problems remembering and using what they have learned. It’s good to develop a technique that will train your brain to help you actively remember the things you learn. Watch this video to see our six top tips to help you train your memory - then afterwards visit our website and test your understanding in our quiz: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/english-you-need/unit-6/session-1

(Photo: Getty)

Transcript
Rob
Many students have problems remembering and using what they have learned. It’s good to develop a technique that will train your brain to help you actively remember the things you learn. Hopefully our top tips for developing your memory will help.

Start in class by making brief notes on things that are useful and important to you. Then revisit and rewrite these notes immediately afterwards. A good way to clarify facts and make them easier to understand, is to make mind maps. These can be drawn on paper or on a tablet or laptop. This graphical way of representing ideas and concepts helps establish things in your mind.

Another tip is to write condensed notes or cards and stick them where you can see them – such as the kitchen wall. Looking at things over and over again can help you remember. Alternatively, you could write these simplified notes on your mobile phone and set up a reminder to read them regularly.

It’s always a good idea to use what you’ve learnt and to say things out loud – research has found that this will help you remember better. Everyone has a different technique – what does this student do?

Student
When I want to revise for an exam, I visualise a long white tunnel with all the key topics and vocabulary written on the side of it. During the exam, in my mind, I walk down the corridor and can simply bring up all the information I need to remember.

Rob
So that’s mnemonics – using association to remember facts. Create an image in your mind to help you remember a word or phrase. Finally, get a good night’s sleep – your memory won’t work if you’re tired. Follow these tips and hopefully your memory will work better for you.

Good luck!