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Did you know that there are certain things you can do to improve the way that you learn certain objectives? Many types of mnemonics exist in the world today, however which type of mnemonics that works best is limited by the imagination of each individual learner. Mnemonics are learning or memory techniques that help an individual recall larger piece of information that they need to learn this is especially used when it comes to forms of lists like characteristics of a certain item, steps that a person may have to take to complete something, stages that are involved in a project, parts of the body or other forms, and phases that occur during a process.

There are nine basic types of mnemonics that an individual can use in order to find out what their individual needs are, an individual must find out which particular mnemonic works for them. Many people respond better to different types of learning techniques that is why it is important to do a little research and see what your individual learning skills are.

The model mnemonic is a kind of representation that is built or made to help in the aid of understanding certain material and being able to recall the information that is important. A model could be something as simple as a floor plan that architects used before they start to build a structure. In order to complete the process right, the architects must know the full picture of what they are looking at in order to complete the project.

The rhyme or ode mnemonic is when an individual inserts the information that needs to be learned in the shape of a poem that makes learning something like the alphabets easier. An individual may find that it is easier to recall the alphabets if they are recited in the form of a poem that they can recite every time that they need to recall the alphabet.

A note organization mnemonic is the common way that the textbooks and professors lecture notes that are used in schools and colleges are prepared and organized that can bring on learning and the ability to recall or promote an individuals learning. It is actually a memory device based on the sense that the organization of the notes or lectures can promote recall. There are three common ways that you can use this particular technique, you can use it in the form of note cards, outlines and the system known as the Cornell System.

Imagine mnemonics are arranged in the shape of a picture that in return inhibits the recall of certain information when an individual needs it. Don’t worry there is no need for an individual to be an artist in order to participate in this technique because as long as that certain individual knows what the picture means that is all that matters.

Connection mnemonics is when certain information that needs to be remembered is connected to something that already is a known fact. The last of the nine mnemonics is the spelling mnemonics, which is when an individual uses spelling as a way of reciting certain information that the individual has learnt.

With all the advances made in health care, people on the average are living longer. With this increase in the quantity of a normal lifespan, many individuals are working to maintain their health to ensure a good quality of life. This means exercise, not only of the body but also of the mind. Keeping the memory sharp is even more important than ever.
One important reminder is that any technique undertaken to perk up one’s memory will probably not do much to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, which is a progressive physical deterioration of the brain. However, doctors have noticed that patients who routinely work on their memory skills often progress to the serious stages more slowly. Research has also statistically demonstrated that patient loneliness speeds diseases progression.

Activities that keep your mind active will retain your memory skills. One of the best ways to do this is to learn a foreign language. This activity requires keeping memory skills intact to learn the vocabulary and nuances of the language. It also comes in useful if you decide to travel to foreign countries, which is another way to improve you memory. Travel in general keeps the mind alert since the traveller is placed in an unfamiliar place and must rely upon memory skills to move about. Travel is a large puzzle, which the traveller uses memory, maps, guides, schedules and other tools to solve. This seems more interesting than memorizing vocabulary, but both are effective ways to retain memory skills. Actually, learning any new skill will exercise the brain and keep it fit. Many people learn crafts or other new hobbies, and in turn teach them to others, which is also a great exercise.
Participating in puzzle solving, like sudoku and crosswords is an activity popular with many. Word puzzles are effective since they draw upon the memory of words for their solution and sudoku puzzles target the logic portion of the brain. Card games require both memory and logic.

Many health care providers believe that super nutrition and supplements may also keep brainpower at a peak and help maintain memory skills. Certainly, nutritional deficiencies and overuse of drugs and alcohol are harmful to the memory. But ingesting enough folic acid (vitamin B 6) can be effective in slowing the declines in memory that can occur with age and overindulgence. In studies, participants who took folic acid for a month long time period did much better on memory tests that the group that did not.

Other vitamins and minerals that have demonstrated to be beneficial to memory are Vitamins C and E, and Omega 3 fatty acid, which is usually found in fish oils and flax seeds. Anthocyanin, the blue pigment in blueberries, is a powerful antioxidant that is beneficial to brainpower. For centuries, practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine have used Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri), an herb native to India that is appearing in western stores, as a memory and concentration enhancer.

Studies repeatedly show that memory is affected by the person’s state of mind at the time information is introduced. Stress and distraction negatively affect the ability to remember things since they interfere with the ability to absorb and process the information. Try to clear your mind when you are introduced to new people and you may find that you can remember names better.

One of the best tools for improving your success rate in personal life or in your business life is a good memory. There is no one who doesn’t appreciate being called by name and asked about some minor detail of his or her life. For example, to remember that you met John Parker at a trade show a week ago and found out he lives in Detroit. John is a potential customer, imagine your rating with him if you not only remember his name, but the fact that he lives in Detroit. There are memory tricks which will allow you to remember facts like this and they are easily learned. The point is that whether or not John Parker becomes your customer, he will remember you because you took the time to personalize your comments to him.

There are many memory tricks you can use to remember facts, but underlying them all is a commitment to exercise your mind. Just like your biceps, if you exercise the brain, it gets stronger and responds more quickly. A recent study found that if you exercise vigorously you will have a better memory as well. Some scientists believe this is because of the increased blood flow through the circulatory system which carries oxygen to the brain as well as the muscles.

While the tricks are helpful in learning things like lists, and they exercise your brain, the underlying aid to mind exercise is to focus on what you’re looking at or thinking about.

A good overall memory strengthening exercise is crossword puzzles. These force you to focus and to look at things in different ways, both spatially and linguistically. Logic puzzles are also fun to do and strengthen memory.

Some easy ways to remember lists, even if it is a list of names include link, number shapes or rhyme systems.

With the link system, you tell yourself a story using the items or names on the list. The story doesn’t have to be rational, in fact, the sillier it is, and the more likely you are to remember the items on your list. The number shapes system also involves making up a story using the items you’ve memorized to stand for the numbers from zero through nine. Again, the more unique the story is the more likely you are to remember the numbers associated with it. The number rhyme system uses words that rhyme with the numbers to make up the story. For instance, you may decide that ‘four’ rhymes with ‘poor’ and picture the little man turning his pockets out in the classic Monopoly game.

Using John Parker in the example above you could consider this a kind of list. You need to remember ‘John’ ‘Parker’ and ‘Detroit.’ If you make up a story about a uniformed valet with a name badge in a valet parking lot with a Lion chasing him around the car, it should provide enough information to get his name right.

Two important things to remember when using the link, number shapes or number rhymes systems is to memorize your keywords ahead of time so that you are comfortable with them and they come automatically into your head when you see the items on a list. Second, focus your attention on the list and exercise your abilities each day. You can even ask someone to check your work.

Being aware of your surroundings all the time is a good idea not just for the memory training, but for your participation in life.

The most difficult part of techniques for memory improvement is remembering to use them. This is the technique which you must learn first. Probably the best method to use as a reminder to remember is to use a slogan. For instance “Don’t forget to remember” is one which could be written on a card and attached to the refrigerator or the shaving mirror. Each time you see the card or think of the slogan on the card, practice one of the memory techniques.

Mnemonic techniques for memory improvement are helpful in short term memory, but are somewhat less effective for comprehension. Sometimes though, if you just want to get through a test you may be able to use some of the techniques below for memory aids.

Acronyms are words made from the first letters of other words. For example, did you know that ‘radar’ stands for RAdio Detection And Ranging? Acronyms are an effective mnemonic technique when working with a list which does not have to be in any particular order. You will probably need to spend a little time rearranging the letters so they make an acronym which will come close to a word you recognize. Then, instead of remembering a list of 4-5 words, you only need remember one word.

Sentences are another memory technique which is similar to acronyms, only this time you make up a sentence using the first letter of each word. For example, using the acronym ‘radar’ above you could say “Randy doesn’t allow roughhousing.” This would help you remember the individual words ‘radio’ ‘detection’ ‘and’ ‘ranging.

Rhymes and songs are another method for learning sometimes complicated lists or formulas. For example if you were told to memorize Isaiah 9:6 from the Bible, could you do it? Chances are if you’ve ever heard Handel’s Messiah you could recite most of the verse. Many children learn to say their alphabet to the tune of ‘twinkle, twinkle little star”.

Loci which is a Latin term with the same root as location is a method which orators and speechmakers use to remember major subjects or key points in their speeches. Seemingly extemporaneous speakers often use the method of loci. In order to use this method, they memorize a series of locations on a path that is familiar to them. Each location can then be tied to a block of information in a speech or oration. This method allows for naturalness and unrehearsed sounding speeches without losing any of the important points which must be covered. For example if your memorized path included your living room, your porch swing, your front gate, the stop sign on the corner, the park across the street, the bandstand, and the big oak tree in the neighbors yard and you wanted to memorize the seven continents, you might visualize Uncle Sam sitting in your living room, a Bolivian Indian sitting on your porch swing, a coil of rope hanging over your front gate (your rope). At the stop sign is the Russian bear. In the park you see Simba the Lion King watching a panda bear dancing on the bandstand. In the neighbor’s oak tree is a penguin.

Chunking is the term for breaking up long string of words or numbers into small groups and using one of the other techniques. Finally no matter which memory technique you use, practice makes perfect. This is a good method for memorizing long lists, speeches, poetry or music. You simple start with one word or phrase, repeat it and add the second word or phrase, then another repeat with the third word and so on.