HOW WE REMEMBER.

1. Memory itself probably cannot be develope d; however, improvem ent in remember ing comes from correctin g certain habits or thoughts so that we use our memory to its’ fullest potential. Remembe ring is like seeing; improvem ent in either function does not depend upon how much we use it but, rather, how we use it. 2. The first and most important rule for remember ing is: cultivate the habit of close attention to the thing you wish to remember . Be sure you have a clear, sharp impressio n of the face, name, date, or facts, which you will need to know at a future time. If you wish to remember a fact, make it meaningf ul to you. 3. When we are learning, we should try not only to get a strong impressio n but also to obtain as many different kinds of impressio ns as possible. Some people can remember colors distinctly, but have a poor memory for shapes. But anyone, by putting together and using all of the impressio ns our sense organs bring us about one thing, allows us to remember it much more clearly than if we were to rely on sight or sound alone. For example, try reading your lesson aloud. In doing this, your eye takes in the appearan ce of the printed word, your ear passes the sound of the words to your brain, and even the tension of the muscles of your throat add their bit to the total impressio n which your mind is expected to store away. 4. Try to visualize it. Either remember a diagram or a picture of the material to be remember ed, or take short notes about it, which help you to visualize. 5. Intend to remember . The mere intention to remember puts the mind in a condition to remember , and if you will make use of this fact in studying you will be able to recall between 20 and 60 percent more of what you read and hear than you would if you were not actively trying to remember . 6. Think about it. A fact doesn't belong to you until you have used it. In making use of this principle, plan to spend not more than one-half of your study period in reading your lesson. Use the other half in doing somethin g with what you learn. Think about what you have studied, write down notes on it, and explain it to somebod y else. 7. Logical memory. One of the most important of all aids to the remember ing process is the habit of associati ng a new idea immediate ly with facts or ideas that are already firmly lodged in your mind. This associati on revives and strengthe ns the old memories and prevents the new one from slipping away by anchoring it to the well-esta blished framewor k of your mental world. 8. Remembe ring by brute force. We will forget more, on the average, during the first hour after learning than during the next 24 hours; and we will forget more, on the average, during the first day than we will during the next thirty days. Whateve r is left after thirty days time, we will probably be able to hold on to without much further loss for years to come. 9. Reviewin g is much more effective if carried out before memories have entirely escaped than it is after considera ble time has elapsed. Repetition s should be strung out over as long a time as is available. We remember better if we pause a little between periods of study. 10. How much to study? You should study more than just enough to learn your assignm ent. Experim ents have proven that 50% more study resulted in 50% better retentio n. After a week had passed, it was found that extra work had salvage d six times as much of the material as in the case when it was barely learned.