Synopsis
Memorization is the fixing of information into your memory through sheer repetition. It’s a necessary first step in learning. Memorization of the fundamental terms and concepts of a difficult or new topic will provide a strong foundation for a deeper understanding of the more difficult concepts that will follow with additional study.

What You Will Learn

1. You’ll learn what memorization is and why it is important to learning.

2. You’ll learn ten tips that will help you set up an easy-to-follow studying system.

3. You’ll learn about mnemonics and how quickly you can create them.

Introduction

Memorization is the fixing of information into your memory through sheer repetition. It’s a necessary first step in learning. Memorization of the fundamental terms and concepts of a difficult or new topic will provide a strong foundation for a deeper understanding of the more difficult concepts that will follow with additional study.

Learning a large, or difficult, or completely new subject, might seem overwhelming at first. We’ve all been there before. And most of us get through it ok. The trick is to just accept the fact that you need to get started as soon as possible, and that you must put in the study time necessary to learn the material.

My wife Michele and I teach thousands of healthcare professionals each year. Most of them are expected to be able to quickly recall hundreds of essential dosages, formulas, and rules – all while under very stressful situations. We’ve learned that memorization is the fastest and most practical way to get our students started on their path to becoming great at their jobs.

Memorization, along with schooling, self-study, continuing education classes, online training, on-the-job training, in-house classes, and mandatory certifications, all play a part in becoming very successful at almost anything.

Here is a list of our favorite tips to memorize a topic and its essential facts:

Tip # 1. Break The Material Down Into Smaller Parts

Smaller bits of information will be much easier for your brain to hold onto. Make several lists. Work on memorizing these lists. Memorize a few facts, and then memorize a few more.

Tip # 2. Study In Short Periods Over A Long Period Of Time

Short bursts of study, fifteen or thirty minutes at a time, are much better and more productive than sitting there and studying for sixty or ninety minutes. Whenever you’re sitting somewhere, a doctor’s waiting room, for example, take out your study cards and read them. These short bursts of study periods can be very productive. Constantly doing this over many months is the surest way to get the information into your long-term memory.

Tip # 3. Review The Material Frequently

To get the new information from your short-term memory into your long-term memory you must review the material frequently. The more difficult the topic, and the less previous knowledge you have for a topic, the more frequently you must review the material. Some nights you should do a full study session on a subject. On the other nights, you can do a quick review. But always try to touch upon that particular subject at least once every twenty-four hours.

Tip # 4. Do Not Cram

Cramming is usually useless. Learning a new or difficult topic takes time. Days, weeks, months, and years, not minutes. It takes a lot of time to process information properly.

Tip # 5. Use Mnemonic Devices And Catchy Puns And Phrases

Mnemonics are a great memory device to help you memorize difficult information. Here is one I created to remember the stages of shock: “Not His lucky CHARMS”. Neurogenic, Hemorrhagic, Cardiogenic, Hypovolemic, Anaphylactic, Respiratory, Metabolic, Septic. Mnemonics can easily be created from a phrase, rhyme, or sentence.

Tip # 6. Teach The Information To Another Person

This is probably one of the surest ways to force yourself to thoroughly learn a topic. Get a family member or friend, or co-worker, to sit and let you explain a topic to them. Have them ask you questions and put you on the spot for an answer that is understandable. Don’t just talk at the person. Really try to help them understand the subject.

Forcing yourself to explain the topic to another person will force your brain to put the topic into a format that your brain is comfortable with. This will get you past simple memorization, and you will start to really learn a subject.

Tip # 7. Use Various Study Materials

This simply means using different study materials, such as flashcards, videos, study guides, etc. One night you might use the flash-cards and videos. The next night use the textbook and your notes. Another night use the flash-cards and a study guide, and so on.

Tip # 8. Leave The Radio and TV Off

You must minimize outside distractions. You must study the material as intensely as possible, with all of your concentration abilities, for short bursts of time. Your brain can easily handle two or three tasks at the same time. But, when studying, especially a new subject, it’s not the time to get distracted by other things.

Tip # 9. Use Study Charts and Cards

Make your own study charts and flashcards. This is a great way to help you recognize what information that you are having difficulty understanding and memorizing.

Tip # 10. Study With A Friend

This will certainly make studying a difficult subject much more fun. It’ll also be a great way to test each other. It’s also a way to make sure that you will study instead of watching television.

Conclusion

Memorization is a necessary first step in learning. The trick is to just accept the fact that you need to get started memorizing as soon as possible, and that you must put in the study time necessary to learn the material.

Michele and I have learned that memorization is definitely the fastest and most practical way to get our students started on their path to becoming great at their jobs. If you adamantly stick to using these ten tips for a long enough period, you’ll learn the material.

Questions For Us To Think About And Discuss

1. What techniques did you use or develop to help you quickly learn a new subject?

2. What are your main distractions when you study.