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The Scripps National Spelling Bee is one of the most prestigious and bemusing competitions. Conducted annually, several hundred American students participate in this spelling competition. Participants are judged on their ability to memorize and spell words correctly. They use different types of memorization techniques to store and recall information. It helps improve focus and helps learn new things more efficiently.
Read on to explore the meaning, importance and effective techniques of memorization. You’ll learn how to remember everything with greater efficiency.
What Is Memorization?
Memorization or memorizing is the act of committing something to memory. It’s a process that helps to store and recall information, experiences and other data. Memory is a type of cognitive ability that can be improved by exercising the mind.
Memorization strategies are techniques that make the process of retaining information easier. They often involve repetition and other tools like flashcards, diagrams and self-test materials. Memorization is an ongoing and time-consuming process but anyone can train and develop their memorizing abilities.
Let’s look at a few commonly used memorizing techniques.
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Storytelling:
You create a story with elements that interest you and memorize things by connecting them sequentially
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Chunking:
Grouping things together teaches you how to memorize faster as you identify overlapping contexts or patterns
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Repetition:
One of the most common memorizing techniques where you often repeat things like presentations and speeches
Why Is Memorization Important?
Whether you’re a student or an employee, you’re required to learn new things every day. Our minds are constantly evolving as it keeps getting exposed to new information. Memorization speeds up the learning process, making it easier to acquire new skills. For example, memorizing public speaking techniques helps you speak more confidently in meetings and conferences.
Learning how to memorize faster has several benefits.
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Improves Neural Plasticity
Neural plasticity, also known as brain plasticity refers to the capacity of the nervous system to change through growth and reorganization. Memorizing leads to the activation of brain structures and promotes neural plasticity. For example, rote learning (or learning by repeating something) improves the ability to store and recall information.
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Helps Learn New Concepts
Research suggests that you need working memory to learn and comprehend new information. When you know how to memorize efficiently, you’re able to master new concepts better. Memorization helps develop short-term memory, therefore improving your capacity to learn and adapt.
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Encourages Creativity
Strong working memory is important for creativity. Researchers suggest that those who learn to focus and develop their memory through memorization can free their mind to be more creative. In other words, the cognitive load is reduced and you’re encouraged to think outside the box.
How To Memorize Easily
Memorization techniques not only help you expand your working memory but also helps you access long-term memory. If you want to learn how to memorize anything with greater efficiency, here are a few strategies you could try out.
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Write It Down
Writing something repeatedly can seem like an exhausting activity but it works wonders for good memory recall. Listing down information instead of re-reading it is an effective way to store information. One example is taking notes when someone is making a presentation.
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Teach It To Someone
Teaching is an excellent way to remember and retrieve information from your memory. You get a better understanding of something when you explain it. You can choose to teach in various ways—lecturing someone, using a whiteboard to break down concepts or creating tests.
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Relate Old With New
When you relate newly acquired information with already stored knowledge, you learn how to memorize faster. For example, Hindi language speakers find it easier to learn Sanskrit because they identify and relate common words.
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Create Mental Maps
Visualizing information or creative thinking is an effective way to memorize. It helps you organize information more coherently—simplifying complex subjects into distinguishable visual categories. Mental maps can be as simple as creating a to-do list.
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Adopt Healthy Habits
Studies show that exercise, mindful meditation and yoga are good for cognitive processing. Moreover, adequate sleep and nutritious diets have mind-boosting benefits. Avoid over-exerting yourself and take healthy breaks before you store new information.
While memorization is a beneficial process, it’s important to remember that our minds have limited power. There will be times when you need to forget old information to make room for new ones. Harappa Education’s Learning Expertly course will teach you how to be an agile and flexible learner. Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle will teach you how to make sense of your learning experiences. The Kolb’s Learning Cycle will help you learn, relearn and unlearn from life’s experiences. Find meaning in what you learn and look at problems with a fresh perspective!
Explore topics such as the Learning From Experience, the Learning Process, Kolb's Learning Styles & Learn Unlearn and Relearn on the Harappa blog and become an agile and flexible learner.
