Sir Muhammad Naim Hj Jamaludin(Counceling 2u)
MEMORY STRATEGY
Introduction:
Humans can be considered as the best livingthing in this world. Why? Because we are gifted with intellect. A human brain can store more memories than any other creature.
Know your brain. In our lives, the brain will manage hundreds of data every second. Our brain can transmit data messages with a speed of 250km per hour through trillions of cell network. In a conscious state, the brain can generate 25 watts of electric power which is powerful enough to light up a bulb. It is estimated that the brain consists of 100,000,000,000 cells. The total capacity of the right hemisphere of the brain is 100 times more than the left hemisphere. Some people only uses about 3% of brain capacity, while the other 97% is stored in the right hemisphere under unconscious state part.
Our brain have 2 separated parts which is the left and right hemispheres. Both parts have different functions. Which part are we more inclined to? Simply grasp your own hands (into each other) and look at which thumb (left or right) is at top. If it is left thumb, you are inclined to right hemisphere, and if it is right thumb, you are inclined to left hemisphere.I have tested it myself and I am inclined to right hemisphere.
Left hemisphere: Indicates that a person is more skilled in mathematical, communication, facts, summary, programming, analysis, practices and see in details.
Right hemisphere: Indicates that a person is creative, artistic, likes visual, have strong instinct, can generate idea, holistic, can multitasking and see image completely.
Memory vs Brain:
Memory: is an individual ability to store, keep and remember information and experience.
Brain: is an organ.To make an analogy, memory is a computer software while the brain is a computer hardware.
Human memory system is divided into 3 types, Sensory memory (SM), short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM).
First, we detect the information with our senses (with eyes by looking, or with ears by hearing). If the information is not intended to be stored, it will be loss immediately. But if you give attention to it, it will be transferred to shortterm memory. Be sure to rehearse this information continuously so that it can be moved to long-term memory. Information that is not rehearsed is always lost. The key to retain information permanently is to give attention to it (write notes if possible) and rehearse it (read it again).
⇛Sensory Memory:
· related to provisional information storage carried by (5) senses.
· is temporary.
· if it is given attention, it would be transferred to short-term memory or otherwise it would be loss instantly.
⇛Short-term Memory:
· is a process that allows information to be received and stored in a duration of 30 seconds to 24 hours.
· this is because there is a limit on how much an information can be stored. Some of it , if given concentration repeatedly, will be moved to long-term memory system.
⇛Long-term Memory:
· is a memory of an information for an extensive time.
· however, every information stored in this system is permanent until the end of a person’s life, but it depends on how good they can recall it from the warehouse of memory (brain).
⇛Recall:
· the weakness to recall information is very similar to forgetfulness.
· a genius person is someone who has a very powerful memory and can recall data (stored in longterm memory system) without effort. If a person wishes to be a genius, theymust train to stimulate their brain so it would be precise, pristine and fit to store data.
Brain durability can be improved by numerous stimulations, nutrition, exercise, practice and abstinence. Spiritual practice (prayers) can purify and activate brain cells.Healthy body can also contribute to a healthy mind. Nutritious and balanced diet can affect one’s mental health.
⇛Why are we always forget things?
1. distractions
2. loss of concentration
3. time factor (late)
⇛How can we remember things easily?
1. create an interest towards what we want to understand.
2. choose the right thing that we want to do
3. repeat beneficial things (writing and reading notes)
4. do more revisions
⇛How to improve your strategy?
Massed practice vs. spaced practice:
o Massed practice (not suggested); cramming, related to studying all knowledges at one time. Students tend to have less time to understand, remember and organize reading stuffs. The shortterm memory can not retain many information at one time.
o Spaced practice (beneficial and endorsed); related to studying with spaced time over some period of time for learning. Spaced exercise or distributed revisions allows time for the information to be absorbed into the longterm memory. Some rests between learning periods allow you to think and rearrange the data
Distribute reading stuffs into several time period (Example; Read 2 chapters per day instead of all chapters a day before the exam).
Rehearsal; reread written notes repeatedly.
Elaboration strategies
§ Acronyms (Example; MAS which stands for Malaysian Airline System)
§ Acrostic, take all initial letters from the important points and create a catchphrase.
(Example; carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, decomposes an change it into “Can Henry Observe Diana?”
§ Imagery; visualize the image of the information needed.
§ Organizational strategies; distribute the data in categories. (Example; animals can be distributed into 3 classes which are mammals, reptiles and amphibians)
