How to Memorize Anything
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From the page: "In college, I memorized 7 chapters of my psychology textbook â€" over 23,000 words. Yes, I could actually recite the entire 7 chapters to anyone willing to listen.
Why did I do this? My professor had challenged me with two statements on the first day of class: 1) No student had ever aced his introductory exam; and 2) all the answers could be found in the first 7 chapters of the textbook.
Determined to be the first student to ace his test, I memorized all 7 chapters.
If youâ€re looking for a way to increase the capacity of your memory or pass a test, you donâ€t need to memorize 23,000 words. But the technique I used to memorize those chapters can be used to memorize anything. Below is the simpler version of my system, developed to help my pupils pass history, psychology, and other information-heavy tests.
1. First, use a pencil or word processor (I prefer the latter because itâ€s faster) to type, in complete sentences, any fact you think might appear on the test. Use short sentences because theyâ€re easier to remember.
2. Take your printed notes into a quiet room, shut the door, and eliminate all distractions.
3. Look at the first sentence in your notes and read it out loud. Then, close your eyes and say the sentence without looking at it.
4. Repeat the step above, this time with the first 2 sentences.
5. Next, try it with 3 sentences. Then 4. Repeat until you have memorized every sentence in your notes."
Why did I do this? My professor had challenged me with two statements on the first day of class: 1) No student had ever aced his introductory exam; and 2) all the answers could be found in the first 7 chapters of the textbook.
Determined to be the first student to ace his test, I memorized all 7 chapters.
If youâ€re looking for a way to increase the capacity of your memory or pass a test, you donâ€t need to memorize 23,000 words. But the technique I used to memorize those chapters can be used to memorize anything. Below is the simpler version of my system, developed to help my pupils pass history, psychology, and other information-heavy tests.
1. First, use a pencil or word processor (I prefer the latter because itâ€s faster) to type, in complete sentences, any fact you think might appear on the test. Use short sentences because theyâ€re easier to remember.
2. Take your printed notes into a quiet room, shut the door, and eliminate all distractions.
3. Look at the first sentence in your notes and read it out loud. Then, close your eyes and say the sentence without looking at it.
4. Repeat the step above, this time with the first 2 sentences.
5. Next, try it with 3 sentences. Then 4. Repeat until you have memorized every sentence in your notes."