Knowing how our brains take in and store information can help us to improve our memories. We can ensure the information we need to remember is properly stored as a memory and we can recall it frequently to ensure its accuracy. Some quick tips to improve your memory are:

1. Use as many senses as possible. Involving sight, sound and even body movements in the memorization of information will help you recall it in many different ways. When trying to recall material for a test that you studied for using sight, sound and touch you will be three times more likely to remember it because you recall seeing it, hearing it and writing the words out. If you forget hearing the information you will still be able to rely on seeing and writing it. This may take a bit more time but, in the end, you will have a much easier time recalling the information you have learned.

2. Repetition is key in remembering any information. The more you repeat something you want to remember - whether it is reading it, saying it or remembering something physical like a hand shake the easier it will be to recall. Repeating small pieces of information such as a phone number or someone's name will create a stronger synapse in the brain making forgetting the information difficult. With larger amounts of information such as a textbook chapter, take 10 minutes a day to read all or part of the text. Doing this for even just a week will strengthen the synapse and store the information into your longterm memory rather than leaving it in your short-term. Studying for 10 minutes a day is more beneficial in the long run than trying to cram a lot of information into one night of studying and, overall, it will take less time.

3. Involving your emotions is another great tool in improving your chances or remembering information. You are much more likely to remember a funny joke than a boring lecture. Make jokes that relate to what you need to remember and you should be able to recall it easily. Other emotions such anger, happiness and sadness can have the same effect but recalling something sad or maddening is likely not going to help you during a test since you could lose your train of though.

4. Take frequent breaks. Remember, your short-term memory can only hold five to nine items at one time; any additional information will be disregarded. Your mind can only stay focused on one topic for 45 minutes without a break, after that amount of time your brain needs a rest. Take a 10 to 15 minute break if you plan to study longer than an hour. If you don't, it will be much harder for you to retain all of the information that you need to. In addition to taking breaks, be sure you are well rested and not hungry. Physical needs will divert your attention from learning new information because it is fighting for your attention.

Happy studying!

Source: Wood, Samuel E., Wood, Ellen G., Wood, Eileen and Desmarias, Serge. The World of Psychology. Toronto: Pearson Education Company, 2008. Print.