Are you constantly stuck in a loop of rote learning your syllabus the night before the exam, just to forget everything you’ve learnt, hence creating more anxiety? As one of the top CBSE schools in Dehradun, we’ve seen our fair share of anxious students constantly stuck in a cycle of exam anxiety, and we’re here to help you break it. So strap along and embark on this magical journey of learning with us as we explore a list of 7 effective memorisation tips so you can score better grades!
Why rote learning never works
To understand your learning goals, we need to know what you aim to achieve with your syllabus. Do you want to study your chapters and remember them for a short term, or do you want to carry your lessons for a lifetime and be known for your depth of knowledge? If your answer is the latter, it’s time to put an end to rote learning now!
This form of studying often involves memorising and cramming information quickly, with lower comprehension of what’s been learned. It will fail you because it doesn’t include critical thinking and problem-solving. While it’s an effective tool for short-term memorisation, you’ll never be able to immerse yourself in it, thus never connecting with the concepts on a deeper level.
Authentic learning thrives on understanding what’s been taught and applying it as real-world concepts to explore and engage with.
Science-backed memorisation
So, what truly works? As one of the Top Boarding Schools in India, we’ve perfected the science of memorisation, and we’re here to share our tips with you so your learning journey is always enjoyable!
Active-Recall
When we’re in a hurry to cram what we’re studying, we often don’t take the time to figure out our strengths and weaknesses. You can combat this by testing yourself on the information after you read it. A straightforward way of doing this is covering the part of your notes and trying to recollect what you just read.
You can also test your long-term retention by utilising:
- Flashcards
- Quizzes
- Mock tests
- Practice questions
Spaced Repetition Technique
Timing is key to better long-term retention, but allowing too much time to pass and not revisiting the lessons might prevent better learning and, hence, your goal of achieving better grades! Start by pinpointing how much time you want to dedicate to each subject. Then, start revisiting and reviewing your material at increased intervals of time. Try doing this multiple times with each lesson, and increase the frequency based on your weak points.
As one of the Best Boarding Schools in India, we’ve collected years of experience guiding our students through this process, but you can try this by yourself by doing the following:
- Placing reminders
- Setting alarms
- Utilising calendars
- Using Apps to test your knowledge
Chunking Information
If you’re familiar with BODMAS, you’ll know it’s the easiest way of establishing how chunking information into acronyms and bite-sized snippets can boost learning. Instead of trying to understand the bigger picture, breaking down your lessons into manageable snippets will help you create a cohesive narrative for better retention. You can try this today by doing the following:
- Use mnemonics
- Create acronyms
- Create categories
Association and Visualization
All forms of studying are to test our imagination. When we imagine our lessons, we engage our brain’s logical side with the powerful tool of visualisation. Every word in our textbook has generations of history attached to it, so when we see them as stories and not merely concepts, we create a lifelong positive connection with learning. When we visualise, we ensure deep comprehension and better retention skills and transform mere words into vivid ideas!
What you can do to enhance visualisation:
- Build Mind Maps
- Draw diagrams
- Imagine vivid imagery of lessons
Take More Breaks
When our brains become fatigued over a long period of time, we exhaust their energy and resources, thus causing stress and hindering our memorisation process. You can combat exhaustion by consciously taking more breaks and allotting time for relaxation while studying for long hours. The TonsBridge School is one of the Best CBSE Schools in India, not because of our merit but because we’ve built a legacy of excellence by creating a space where students can rejuvenate and thrive.
Hidden amidst the deep valleys and situated tactfully by the beautiful rivers, the campus is the perfect haven for bustling activity and relaxation—all at once!
Pro tip: Don’t use electronics to relax and unwind. Choose mindful relaxation by doing the following:
- Interacting with nature
- Building a trustworthy community of peers and friends
- Art and sports
- Immersing yourself in your hobbies
Ace it with the Feynman technique
You might not know this technique by its name, but the Best Boarding Schools in Dehradun have implemented it in fun and interactive ways for kids from all walks of life. This method helps students foster a deeper connection with learning and promotes clarity by boosting interaction. Doing presentations, using cleaner and easier jargon for complex concepts, and encouraging everyone to present the ideas in classrooms is a tool to test your knowledge and build a connection with what you’re learning!
- Jot down the topic, like an article or story
- Pretend to teach the lesson in class
- Explain it to peers
- Write simple assignments
Creating a Memory Palace
The Best CBSE Schools in India, all have one thing in common—stellar infrastructure. When you’re given the space to explore, you learn to interact with your environment to create a positive association between your learnings and the elements around you. So, what is a memory palace? It’s when you visualise physical locations in your mind and associate them with pieces of information. You can conjure any area with this method to recall the information. And better yet? By using varied landscapes and changing your study locations, you’re opening up your world to endless possibilities and breaking the monotony.
How you can practice this:
- Imagine places, locations, food, words, and more, and associate them with your lessons
- Changing up your environment and shifting from the traditional set-ups
- Study more in libraries, gardens, and open spaces
Memory is the cornerstone of success in the journey of learning, and successfully teaching these methods is what differentiates a good school from the Best CBSE Schools in India. Learning isn’t just a singular act; it’s a science-based act that has the power to change the world. By helping you embrace this value, we’re going beyond just helping you study better; we’re equipping you with the skills to take the world head-on! By adopting these methods, you’ll be honing lifelong habits that help you excel in life! Mastering memory isn’t a mere skill; it’s an artful practice of harnessing the limitless power of your mind to unlock your boundless potential and explore the world far beyond the confines of your textbooks.
