Summary
Mnemonics can be very useful as a memory aid. But before putting Mnemonic into practice, one has to know which mnemonic will be suitable for the content they want to recall.
"
Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us.”
Oscar Wilde
Memory is a process of acquiring, storing and retaining information which can be recalled later. Memory loss is the unavoidable flip-side of the human capacity to remember.
So How one can retain information easily?
To retain the information effectively, we can use Mnemonics.
What are Mnemonics?
Mnemonics are more specific memory aids and strategies which will help in retaining and recalling information effectively.
And below are the listed specific memory aids and strategies of Mnemonics.
1. Acronyms
Acronyms can be formed by using the first letter of each word to form a new word.
For example: SCUBA (Self Controlled Underwater Breathing Apparatus).
2. Sentence/Acrostics
In acrostics, you can frame a meaningful sentence using the first letters of the words you want to remember.
For Example: My Dear Aunt Sally (mathematical order of operations- Multiply and Divide before you Add and Subtract)
3. Rhymes and Songs
Rhythm, repetition, rhyme and melody can all help in memory. You can create or form a song, rhyme or tune on the content you want to remember. This technique can be fun as well as effective in remembering course items.
For example: Children learn alphabets by adding music to ‘ABC’.
4. Chunking
It is a technique where the information is divided into small chunks or groups to remember better.
For example: Instead of remembering a phone number as 2022424220, one can remember it as 20- 22- 42-42-20. Chunking can be useful in remembering large numbers, phone numbers, words, letters etc.
5. Method of Loci
In method of Loci, you can mentally associate information to the landmarks you are familiar with.
For example: If you have to remember your shopping list- shampoo, soap, bread, milk, deodorant etc. You can mentally imagine and associate Shampoo and soap placed in your bathroom, Bread and milk placed in your kitchen and Deodorant placed in your bedroom.
6. Imagery Technique
You can mentally imagine the content you want to remember by making it funny, creative, colourful etc. Studies shows that information which are unique, funny, colourful and attached with emotions are often memorized easily.
For example: When you have to remember names of 4 Indian kings, say Akbar, Krishnadevaraya, Tippu Sulthan and Shivaji. Imagine as you enter your house, king Akbar wearing a large robe, sitting in your living room, as you go further into kitchen, you see king Krishnadevaraya having his meal, further in your balcony you see Tippu sulthan and Shivaji Maharaj practicing a sword fight.
What are Mnemonics?
Take a walk prior to studying
- Write it down
- Share what you're learning
- Create a story
- Study in different locations
- Say the information out loud
- Use colors and code words
- Draw tables and diagrams
Final Thoughts
Mnemonics can be very useful especially for students as a memory aid. However, like any other techniques, Mnemonics also requires time and practice. Before putting this into practice, one has to know which Mnemonic will be suitable for the content they want to recall. Apart from using Mnemonics, one should also develop a healthy diet (Consuming food containing Vitamin B, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants etc.) and a healthy lifestyle (practicing meditation) to increase their memory power.
