Memory Methods

Goals

1. Describe the methods that work for remembering things.
2. Skillfully select from this list given a memory task.
3. Get results; remember things as if you were a memory athlete.

What

Remembering something — whether it’s a skill, a fact, or a complex concept — means strengthening the connections in your brain so that the information can be recalled later.

There are several distinct, proven methods for getting information and skills into long-term memory (LTM).

When you combine these methods with clear intent, you can remember as effectively as top memory athletes.

General Methods (CEME — Collectively Exhaustive, Mutually Exclusive):

1. Repetition — Strengthen connections by practicing or recalling multiple times.
2. Elaboration — Add meaning by connecting to what you already know.
3. Organization — Structure the material into logical patterns or categories.
4. Imagery — Use mental pictures or spatial memory techniques.
5. Physical Practice — Build procedural memory for skills through repeated bodily action.
6. Testing (Retrieval Practice) — Actively recall information without prompts.
7. Emotion — Pair the material with emotions to enhance encoding.
8. Contextual Variation — Practice or recall in different settings to make memories more adaptable.

Why

• Memory is selective — what you remember depends on how strongly and how often you encode it.
• Different methods engage different brain systems — combining them strengthens recall from multiple angles.
• The right method for the task saves time — physical skills benefit from motor practice; abstract facts benefit from elaboration and testing.
• Context matters — varying where and how you practice makes your memory flexible and reliable.

How

1. Identify the memory target — Define exactly what you need to remember (e.g., a formula, a name, a physical move).
2. Select methods from the list — Choose those that best fit the type of memory (factual, conceptual, procedural).
3. Apply with focus — Avoid multitasking; give full attention during encoding.
4. Combine strategically — Use at least two methods for stronger encoding (e.g., elaboration + retrieval practice).
5. Use spaced reinforcement — Review or practice at increasing intervals.
6. Adapt for context — Practice in different environments or situations.
7. Evaluate results — Test yourself cold; if recall is weak, adjust your method mix.