This is quite a long page. It is designed to be read in sequence but you can jump to whichever section you are interested in by clicking on the index:

1. Introduction
2. Memory by Association
3. The Link System
4. Memorising Dates and Numbers
5. Memory Reviewed

Most people think that they have a poor memory. This must be wrong for the simple reason that most people will have an average memory. Further to this, as a university student you have already shown that you have at least reasonable memorising abilities in order to have passed the course entry requirements, such as with Highers or A levels. In reality almost everyone has the ability to memorise just about anything, with a little effort and practice.

To begin with, we need to understand why we remember certain things and forget others. For example, why do you remember something complex such as your address, but not the name of the person that you have just been introduced to at a party? Part of the reason is that, as humans, certain things are much more important than others. So, when we are introduced to someone the older and primitive part of our mind (sometimes called the reptilian complex) takes over and in doing so partially blocks our higher thoughts. We are far more interested in what the person we have just been introduced to represents than whatever label they may have, such as a name. In other words we concentrate our mind on forming an opinion of the person, which is more important than a name.

We remember our address, which is far more complex than a name, because it is important to us. We do this because, in effect, we are still using our reptilian complex - our territory is important to us just as the character of a person is. Of course, we are less likely to forget the face of the person at the party. It seems that we are naturally good at remembering some things, but not others. What we need to work out is how we can use our innate abilities to remember certain things, such as faces or our address, in ways that will aid studying.

There are times when we need to remember a long list of things, either a formal list or just things that would be useful to have at our fingertips, especially in exams and so on. We now know how to remember a single item, but what about a lot of things? The answer is to use the same system of visual association, and link one image to the next. For example, let say we want to remember these two things in order and that we have been asked to do so by our best friend:

A flute

A microphone

The first thing we need to do is visually associate the first object with our friend in some bizarre way. The friend gave us the list and so we will find it easier to remember if we link it with him or her. So, now, try to picture your friend and a flute in some silly way. For example, perhaps your friend is playing a 12 foot long flute, or is "playing  the flute" at cards. When that image is fixed find another visual association that links the flute with the microphone. Perhaps you see your friend trying to sing into a huge flute in a recording studio. As always, the first image you see is usually the best as long as it is strong and strange.

Not all of the images have to involve your friend, just the first. However, it sometimes helps to have a common theme running through the list of images. If it doesn't make sense to use a person as the starting point find something else, such as the subject or module name.

We can keep adding to this list and build up as many items as we want to. With a little practice 50 or more images, and so items on a list, can be easily memorised. Now, memorise this list using visual associations (we will check on it again later):

Electric guitar

F sharp

The bass clef

Harp

A conductor

legato

Harmony

Ears

If you need to, go back over the list now and reinforce your links. The more times you do this the stronger the memory will become. Eventually you will be able to dispense with the visual links and be left with just the list in your memory. Likewise, it's a good idea to go over an important list in your mind once a day, visualising each item in the bizarre way that you first thought of.

As always, it's important that you practice until the technique becomes second nature. Ask a friend to give you a list to memorise over the next week and spend a few minutes everyday practising strengthening the links. It's also an interesting and useful exercise to try to remember the list in reverse order!

Dates and numbers are often difficult to remember. They are abstract and in many ways unnatural to deal with, in that we can instinctively quantify most things without counting them. However, there are many methods for memorising numbers, but most are complex and require a great deal of time and practice. The good news is that there is a very simple method that will allow us to remember most, if not all of the numbers we require, and that method is poetry.

Let's say we have to remember that Mozart died in 1791. There isn't anything special about the year. If there was we could latch onto it and form a visual association. For example, let's say that you have a relative that was born in 1971 (i.e. a reversal of 1791). We could form a visual link between the relative and Mozart. Many dates and numbers do have properties such as this and they are worth looking for. That aside, we can write a little poem that contains the relevant information, such as:

I’ve known of Mozart since 17,
Yup, I think that’s how long its been.
Will I remember him at 91,
When my hearing, sight and memory’s gone!

There are a few key points about this technique that we need to keep in mind:

• Keep the poem childlike - "clever" things are harder to remember.

• Review the poem once a day until you remember it.

• It's okay to forget the poem when it's no longer needed.

A variation is to change the words of a song or another well known poem, but, as always, we need to practice the technique. It's likely that the first time you try to write a poem it will take a little time, but you will get faster at it with a little practice. It may seem like hard work at the time, although it should be fun, but the work is worthwhile if it means the difference between passing and failing an exam!

Another thing to keep in mind is that we don't always need to include the century if it's obvious. So, for example, if we need to remember that synth-pop had its hey-day in the 1980s we can just write a poem to include the 80s. We are unlikely to forget that this means the 1980s, given the nature of the subject.

Now, write a little poem that encompasses that fact that Robbie Williams was born in 1978. (Hint, start by finding a rhyme for the number 8 if you are stuck).

We have seen that there are simple techniques that can greatly aid our memory, although they need to be practiced. The most important steps are to become initially aware and then to form bizarre images. We can also memorise numbers such as dates by writing simple poems. To this list we should also add mind maps, which aid memory as well as adding structure and links.

It's essential to remember that memorising is not the same as learning and memory is not the same as knowledge. Rather, memory techniques should be used as a tool to aid learning and in revising for exams. When we really understand a subject we tend to remember the most complex of things without effort.

It is also essential that memory techniques are practiced until they become second nature and effortless.

When trying to memorise we should be active, through being aware and forming images, and we should be reflective by reviewing what we want to remember and strengthening the visual links. 

Now, lastly, what about the list that you memorised before (you didn't think I'd forgotten about it, did you?!). Write down the items on the list. If you can't remember some of them you need to go back and strengthen your visual linking image. Don't be discouraged if you need to go back, it gets easier and easier the more you practice.