Improving Your Memory

Chapter 5
Improving Your Memory

and
Learning Skills
Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
R
E
M
E
M
B
E
R
W
H
A
T
?
Purpose of This Chapter
To help you gain some of the best learning

strategies that will help you read to learn,
remember what you learn, perform better
on tests, and improve your learning
confidence.
College Creates Substantive Change

in Individual Learners
Every student at the College should

undergo a substantial change in skill,
knowledge, or attitude as a result of the
students experience in every course.
Learning Outcomes
Assess your learning strengths and
weaknesses.
2. Improve your concentration.
3. Create a good study environment.
4. Understand and improve your
memory.
1.
Learning Outcomes
5.
6.
7.
8.
continued
Improve your reading comprehension.

Learn as you read.
Improve your reading comprehension
and retention in mathematics and
science reading assignments.
Challenge your self-talk study traps.
Based on all you learned from this chapter,

write what you think are your greatest:
1.
Learning strengths
2.
Learning weaknesses
What will you do to overcome your

learning weaknesses?
Learning Weaknesses?
Theres No Magic:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Overcoming a weakness is like getting in

shape You have to work at it.
Be determined to figure out how to
improve your weakness.
The greatest way to improve your
weakness is just to jump in and try what
you are bad at.
Practice it and you will get it!
Self-Discipline is the Key to:

1.
2.
3.
Creating and using productive study

time.
Hurdling stress, distractions, and a host
of other obstacles.
Achieving your dreams.
Even self-discipline gets easier

the more you use it!
How to Overcome a Lack of

Self-Discipline to Study?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Acknowledge your own responsibility.

Tell yourself that, Procrastination will sink me!
Allow yourself to feel the resistanceand then tell
yourself, I need to study.
Then study!
When youre finished studying, tell yourself, That
wasnt too difficult.
Relish in the fact that you did itthis will be a future
source of motivation.
Self-Talk always has a role in directing your actions!
AGAIN Most Learning in College

Takes Place Outside the Classroom
Completing Assignments
1. Reading
2. Studying
3. Activities/Projects
4. Practice
Remember allow a minimum of 3 hours of study
time per week for each hour of class time.
Memory
1.
Memory is simply retrieval or recall of information

that has been learned.
2.
It is said that athletes and musicians have

muscle memorya repeatedly trained
movement that becomes automatic.
List other simple and complex skills or actions that

have become automatic for you.
Learning Has Several Meanings

1.
2.
3.
The act, process, or experience of

gaining knowledge or skill.
Knowledge or skill gained through
schooling or study.
Psychology Behavioral modification
especially through experience or
conditioning.
Difference Between
Learning and Memory
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Whats the difference?

Not all learning is transformed into lasting
memories.
Learning is how you acquire new information,
and memory is how you store that information
over time.
There is no memory without learning, but there
is learning without memory.
For example, looking up a telephone number
and remembering it just long enough to make
your call is working memory. It requires
learning but not for the long haul.
Learning vs. Memory

Generally people dont differentiate between
learning and memory.
What really counts is,
are you working at it?
Use your self-talk to direct your efforts!

How the Brain Remembers

1.
2.
3.
The process of learning depends on a

chain of electrical, chemical, and physical
changes to the brains.
Repetition/practice increases the brains
neural circuitry, and thus learning is
remembered (stored in long-term memory).
Continued use (repetition) of information
strengthens the memory.
To learn and remember information,

you must:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Have the motivation or hunger to gain knowledge.
Note: Strong motivation may actually count more

than your IQ.
Disciple yourself to pay attention/concentrate, or you
will miss it.
Work to understand before you can learn it.
Learn it before you can memorize it so it will be
committed to long-term memory.
See example next slide
ExampleSnow Skiing
1.
2.
3.
4.
Have the motivation to put energy and concentration

into skiing.
Pay attention to and concentrate on the instructions.
Understand concept of turning, e.g. to turn right you
put your weight on your left ski and slide your left ski to
the downhill side.
Practice turning until it works fluidly and becomes
automatic.
Give an example of a skill or knowledge that is now part

of your long-term memory.
Group Teach:
Strategies to Improve Your Memory
1.
2.
3.
4.
Divide into 6 groups.

Each group is assigned one of the 6 memory
techniques discussed in the text.
Each group will deliver a motivational
demonstration on its assigned memory
technique and engage the class in the
technique.
Groups will have 8 minutes to plan their
demonstration.
6 memory techniques next slide
Six Memory Techniques

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Understanding
Association
Recitation and Recall
Organizing Information
Visualization
Test Yourself
Other Memory Techniques?

What
other memory techniques have you

learned that are worth recommending to
your classmates?
Downside to Learning
1.
2.
3.
We learn what we practice, whether negative

or positive.
Negative self-talk: I hate studying.
Positive self-talk: I love learning.

Avoidance of study is learned too!
Low expectations can also be learned!
Upside you can override the negative and

redirect your attitudes in a positive direction.
Ever wonder who helps design your

program curriculum?
1.
Business and industries work with colleges to develop

curriculum including:
2.
3.
4.
General education courses

Major courses
Skill courses
Theyre all designed to help prepare you for your future

career.
Thats a lot of learning and remembering.
Memory and learning techniques will help you learn
what you need and grow more neural circuitrythe
brains natural way of learning and remembering.
At the base of your college success is:

. . . feeling, believing, thinking, and hoping
you will learn and succeed.
Remind
yourself how important it is to stay

focused on your academic and career
goals.
Rid yourself of: Im bored! I hate
studying! these thoughts do not
nourish your drive or self-esteem.
A Good Study Environment to

Maximizes Learning
1.
No distractions if possible.
2.
A comfortable setting but one that keeps you

awake and focused.
3.
Establish a regular routine for study so you

and others get accustomed to it.
Where are your best campus study spots and

why?
Finding Your Best Time to Study

Do you do your best work at the crack of
dawn? Or, are you a night owl?
Finding the right time to study is very
important to learning.
Your preferences may change.
1.
2.
3.
too many 2 am study nights is enough to

make you rethink your best study time!
Finding Your Best Time to Study

continued
The key is to plan your day so:
4.
you perform your hardest learning tasks at your best

time, and
your easiest learning tasks at your least preferred or
least productive time.
Make use of small amounts of time between
classes, appointments, or activities.
Have you identified your best times for

learning/studying?
Class Survey What are your

most productive study times?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Early in the morning before ___________

In between classes
Right before dinner
Early evening
Late evening
Middle of the night
Other ___________
I take advantage of all of the above.
Get ready to study

1.
Stop everything and clear/relax your mind.
Avoid the negative thought creep.
2.
Have a pleasant 510 minute relaxation

session visualizing clouds, the ocean,
Christmas lights, the mountains, or listen to
relaxing music.
3.
Then stop and tell yourself, I am ready to

study.
Concentrate
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Focus on one thing at a time.

Use Self-Talk to stay focused and concentrate.
I will focus on my writing assignment for

the next hour.
Know you have a choice to welcome or reject
distractions.
Recognize when you need to rejuvenate.
You often need a break from some
assignments so you can return with fresh
ideas.
Get plenty of exercise and night-time sleep.
Break it Up!
1.
2.
Determine study start and stop times

maybe 50 minutes to 2 hours. What
works for you? Knowing how long you
plan to stay focused helps you stay on
task!
Determine a targetIll read 4 sections
and then take a tea break.
Study Breaks to Reenergize Your Mind
2.
Take a walk
Have a glass of water to refresh.
3.
What works for you?
1.
Time Plus Energy Equals Learning

1.
2.
3.
There is no substitute for time on task.

Learning to use your time well is critical
for you as a student as well as when you
are a career professional.
Effective learning requires allocating
realistic amounts of time.
Use a Reading Method That Helps You

Learn What You Read
Reading
is perhaps the most used

learning skill in college and in most
professions.
Reading without both concentration and
comprehension is almost like not reading.
The best reading methods help you
concentrate, learn, and remember what
you read.
They also set up practice tests in your text.
PRQRT
Step 1Preview
Step 2Read, Question, and Recite
Step 3Test
1.
Explain the details and purpose of PRQRT
2.
How does PRQRT help you prepare for

exams?
SQ3R
S = Survey
Q = Question
R = Read
R = Recite
R = Review
1.
Explain the details of SQ3R

Reading Math
Class discussion
What
is the best way to read and

understand your math reading
assignments?
10 Ways to Reduce Math Anxiety

Before the Test
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Overcome negative self-talk.

Ask questions.
Consider math a foreign languageit
must be practiced.
Dont rely on memorization to study
mathematics Practice Problems.
READ your math text and practice
problems.
10 Ways to Reduce Math Anxiety

Before the Test continued
Study math according to YOUR LEARNING
STYLE.
7. Get help the same day you dont understand.
8. Be relaxed and comfortable while studying
math.
9. TALK mathematics.
10. Develop responsibility for your own successes
and failures.
6.
Reading Science and Technical

Books
Class discussion
What
is the best way to read and

understand your science and technical
reading assignments?
See Figure 5-9:

Self-Talk Study Traps
What self-talk study traps do you need to
address and redirect to achieve your
learning goals?
Your self-talk will be the most important
motivational factor
in learning or not learning.
Key Chapter Points

1.
The techniques and strategies for improving

your concentration, learning, memory, and
reading in conjunction with the use of positive
self-talk will give you greater control over your
learning.
. . . and learning promotes self-confidence.
Key Chapter Points
continued
Using SQ3R and PRQRT strategies

helps you identify important information
and anticipate possible test questions.
2.
These reading methods are slower, but they

will help you select material to learn as you
read.
Key Chapter Points

3.
continued
Self-talk is perhaps the most important

factor in learning.
Self-talk guides your determination as well

as the direction you take with your study.
Your self-talk can help you avoid study or
motivate you to study.
It can direct how you will study and how
much you will study.
Success is more than just showing up!
I am still
learning.
Michelangelo

Improving Your Memory

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Chapter 5

Improving Your Memory

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Purpose of This Chapter

To help you gain some of the best learning

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

College Creates Substantive Change

Every student at the College should

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Improve your reading comprehension.

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Based on all you learned from this chapter,

What will you do to overcome your

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Overcoming a weakness is like getting in

Self-Discipline is the Key to:

Creating and using productive study

Even self-discipline gets easier

How to Overcome a Lack of

Acknowledge your own responsibility.

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

AGAIN Most Learning in College

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Memory is simply retrieval or recall of information

It is said that athletes and musicians have

List other simple and complex skills or actions that

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Learning Has Several Meanings

The act, process, or experience of

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Whats the difference?

Learning vs. Memory

Use your self-talk to direct your efforts!

How the Brain Remembers

The process of learning depends on a

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

To learn and remember information,

Have the motivation or hunger to gain knowledge.

Note: Strong motivation may actually count more

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Have the motivation to put energy and concentration

Give an example of a skill or knowledge that is now part

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Divide into 6 groups.

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Six Memory Techniques

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Other Memory Techniques?

other memory techniques have you

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

We learn what we practice, whether negative

Negative self-talk: I hate studying.

Positive self-talk: I love learning.

Upside you can override the negative and

Ever wonder who helps design your

Business and industries work with colleges to develop

General education courses

Theyre all designed to help prepare you for your future

Copyright 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

At the base of your college success is:

yourself how important it is to stay

A Good Study Environment to