There are two different types of memory we use:

1. Short Term Memory - electrical in nature - used to remember for a very short period of time - ie what shopping your Mum sent you for.
   
   
2. Long Term Memory - spread over the brain - probably of a chemical nature - used to store “remembered” items - ie your name and address.

Did you know that your brain uses approximately one fifth of your total oxygen input?

Training your Memory

Long term memory can be improved - it is much like muscles, increased use helps improve it and decreased use causes it to atrophy.

General Strategies to improve Long Term Memory

• Relaxation - stress often blots out memories
  
  
• Awareness - living in the present instead of “daydreaming” helps focus attention / memory
  
  
• Motivation - you can only improve what you work on!!

Memory Strategies

• Divide large tasks into smaller units, ie learning for a test can be divided into smaller topic areas.
  
  
• Use Mnemonics (and make them personal), ie Richard of York gave battle in vain (ROYGBIV) gives colours of Rainbow.
  
  
• Use short sharp “shocks” in learning, rather than long time scales. Effective memory learning only lasts about 15-30 minutes.
  
  
• Avoid any distractions - most learning is more effective this way (ie Number Game)
  
  
• Repetition is essential - how did you learn your name, address or telephone number?
  
  
• Avoid anything you don’t understand - very difficult to remember (nonsense).

Test your Memory

1. Get a friend to read out a list of numbers (starting with five numbers)
   e.g. 7 4 6 1 8
   
   
2. Try writing the numbers down after 10 seconds, 30 seconds or 1 minute.
   
   
3. As above, but try writing them down in reverse order.