How To Memorize More Easily When Studying

When it comes to preparing for a test or exam, having the right strategies for studying can make information retention a breeze. On the opposite end, a poor study strategy can make studying a waste of energy.

When studying is approached with more effective study techniques, it can increase the chances of understanding and remembering.

It’s important to make the most of studying time because ultimately this plays a huge part in academic success (other factors are important, too, though).

Ways to memorize more when studying

Here are ways to remember more information when studying.

1. Focus

This first point might seem like stating the obvious – and to some degree it is. Yes, obviously you should focus. But the issue is many people end up inadvertently not focusing when they study. This may or may not be an issue for you. Or maybe it’s an issue but you simply haven’t noticed.

Focus means really focusing; truly concentrating on the information and making sense of it. What some people might do is simply read, see or hear information without truly focusing on it.

They might pick up on a point here and there and maybe even retain some knowledge. But the reality is the information taken in (if anything) is often incomplete. The importance of genuine focus shouldn’t be understated when it comes to proper studying.

So how can you authentically focus? Start off by making the conscious decision to do so. As you study, direct your mind towards concentrating on what you’re learning. Check on yourself frequently to make sure you’re focusing. If you catch your attention lapsing, bring yourself back to focusing.

This is something that you may find improves with practice (i.e. you train yourself to focus better and longer with repetition).

You may want to put a little note for yourself so that you have a reminder to focus. A sticky note on your desk, for example.

2. Use repetition

Repetition is a massive help when it comes to memorization. With repetition, you increase the chance that you will retain knowledge properly.

In contrast, if a point is only read once, there’s a lower chance that it’ll stay in your mind. Even if it does, the information may be incomplete or fragile (easily forgotten).

Read your notes twice or maybe even three times. Sometimes you may not have time to read a second time and that’s understandable. Repetition is only one of many techniques. In an ideal situation, though, you would be able to review materials more than once.

You can also simplify repetition by reviewing main points or summaries. Skimming is another great strategy. This can help you review more quickly and possibly give you a chance to review more than twice by decreasing the amount of time you spend per review. Try to make notes which cover main points and read those several times by skimming.

3. Self-care

You need to try your best to study comfortably in your own skin. You should be sleeping well. You should be eating right; eating healthy food and avoiding excessive sugar while you study to avoid crashing. Some caffeine could be helpful for keeping you alert and focused but keep it in moderation.

If your eyes get tired, look away and at something a little far away for a few minutes. Gently rub your eye lids (make sure it’s gentle!) to “reset” your eyes. If you get tired of sitting, get up and walk around a little.

If you’re uncomfortable or (worse yet) do something unhealthy, you could end up compromising your ability to concentrate and make it more difficult or impossible to study. Don’t underestimate the importance of some nice self-care for academic performance.

4. Minimize distractions

Distractions can take your thoughts off track and get you putting in effort to try and reorient your focus back to studying.

Distractions are wastes of time, as well.

Take a few one minute phone checks as an example. If you do just 15 of them in two hours then you’ve wasted 15 minutes. Not to mention the fact that getting back to focusing after attention has been shifted can be challenging.

A 15 minute break after two hours of studying is fine. But losing 15 minutes on your phone without noticing is not okay.

You don’t have to turn the phone off (someone may need you). Instead, simply put it on do not disturb. Do not allow yourself to open any app that is not related to studying except in an emergency.

It’s not just phones. Consider anything that might be a distraction to you and try to avoid letting it take your attention away except if necessary.

5. Take breaks

Let’s avoid distractions but not breaks. Breaks are very important when it comes to helping the mind recuperate so it can continue studying.

Focusing for long periods of time without any sort of rest can be draining. Too much work can make it increasingly difficult to retain info the longer you go.

Breaks help towards ultimately improving performance. But the key is to use breaks intelligently. I.e. do not let breaks go too long, schedule them at the right times, use them to move around and rest your eyes, and don’t take too many.

6. Stay calm

Stress can affect mental performance. It can decrease focus, shorten attention span and confuse thoughts. All of these make it harder to retain information.

Exams and tests can be stressful but don’t let them fluster you. Use calming strategies like muscle relaxation and visualization to help yourself take it easy. Get immersed in studying but not obsessed with it.

7. Copy info

Copying info is a great technique for repetition. It’s an effective way to retain and memorize information.

You can choose to copy all the information if there isn’t too much of it. If there is simply too much information to copy, you can try writing out some key points and copying those.

Basically just copy them down onto another piece of paper or onto a computer. If it’s a handwritten test, though, you may want to copy onto paper to match the testing method.

8. Divide knowledge into categories

Trying to intake a lot of information without any organization could be overwhelming. It might even make it harder to retain information and/or know how certain facts relate to a certain topic.

Try to divide material into categories (if the material is not already divided). This way you know what information relates to what. For example, if you’re studying the circulatory system and the heart is one portion, find the main categories of the heart and write them out. Write out what concepts fall under these categories.

One way to organize the information is to draw out columns on the paper with a main title, subtitles and related points. This organized style of dividing information can make it easier to understand.

Try to write information in large text and don’t fill the page (whether paper or digital) with too much information. Start using another page when you fill one.

9. Write out main points

There is a possibility that there’s a lot of information or even some unimportant information included. Writing out the main points of whatever topic you’re studying can help you pick out what you think is most relevant and therefore most important to focus on.

This is also a useful time management strategy because it’s better to avoid wasting time trying to read 10 pages when you can write out a few points that summarize them.

Be warned, though, that you shouldn’t skip information. The point of this is to write out the main info that should become the focus of your studying. It’s also important to remember that sometimes tests and exams can ask unexpected questions.

10. Quiz yourself

Quizzing yourself is useful because it makes you recall the information and increases the chances that it’s memorized. It can also be an effective way to get yourself into “test mode” where you’ve practiced receiving and answering questions.

Quizzing also helps track progress. It’s important to know where you stand with studying – i.e. are you truly retaining the information you need to retain? You may find weak spots in your knowledge which you can then focus on to improve.

One good technique is filling in the blanks. Basically, as you read, try to cover a portion with your hand and see if you know what information is there. If you reach a list, try to cover up the list and list the items out yourself.

For example, say you were studying the three main types of blood vessels and their purpose. Cover the three types when you reach that section and recite them to yourself with their purpose. If you miss anything, read the section again, move on and revisit it later.