Tips for Enhancing your memory

Tips for Enhancing Your Memory

Tips to help you survive at university!

Some Truths about Memory

• Memory is not perfect. Few people have “picture-perfect” memories that can record information the way a camera does. Most people have to use strategies to help them remember.
• Memory is a case of “use it or lose it.” Memory strategies require practice and discipline. Using your memory also seems more difficult if you haven’t been in a school setting recently.
• Memory is a skill that can be learned. Memory strategies are not generic or innate – they must be learned. There are many different strategies to help you remember information.
• Memory does not diminish over time. Many people think that memory “goes” when they get older. In fact, memory stays quite intact – it is the speed of retrieval that diminishes.
• Rote memorization has limitations. Students who rely on memorization for their exams are in for a big surprise. Not only is it difficult to memorize an entire term’s worth of information for the exam, but trying to do so can cause a great deal of anxiety.
   

Memory Tip 1: Pay Attention in Class

All information presented in class, whether by spoken word or visual aids, must pass through sensory memory. It is the critical gateway for information to be received by other memory systems. Attend your lectures with a goal of listening.

Memory Tip 2: Take Effective Notes

In order for information to be stored in long-term memory, it first needs to pass through your short-term or working memory. As this stage of memory is limited in the amount of information it can retain, information you receive in class must be written down or you will forget it.

Memory Tip 3: Remember the Three R’s

In order to move information form short-term memory into long-term memory, you must do three things: repeat information, make information relevant or meaningful, and keep information recent.

Memory Tip 4: Use Mnemonics

Mnemonics are short-term memory devices that involve making arbitrary but easy-to-remember associations for specific information that is easy to forget.* Some examples are sohcahtoa (trigonometric definitions of sine, cosine, and tangent) and roygbiv (the colours of the rainbow).

Memory Tip 5: Generate Examples

A very effective way of monitoring your own comprehension is to generate examples of concepts.* If you cannot do this, it is likely that you do not fully understand the concept. It is also important to understand why something is an example of a concept and why it is not an example of something else.

Memory Tip 6: Use Visual Imagery

Visualization of concepts can be a very powerful way to learn. Images can be directly related to the topic or can be based on analogies that transfer abstract concepts into concrete images.* (Eg. Flow of electricity > river)

Memory Tip 7: Make Associations

Get a sense of the “big picture” by making connections between the lecture and textbook or readings, and between lectures.* Memory works best when information is first learned by theme.

Memory Tip 8: Use Rehearsal Strategies*

Practice retrieving information by reciting key ideas, predicting questions, practicing problems, and testing yourself using old exams. These strategies will assist you with consolidating information in long-term memory.

 For More Study Tips check out our site: Tips to Help You Survive at University

(*Adapted from Fleet, J., Goodchild, F., & Zajchowski, R. (1999). Learning for success. Toronto, ONT: Harcourt Brace & Company.)

© 2011 Tips for Enhancing Your Memory , Learning Resources, Student Success Centre, University of Alberta

Nature's Winamp Visualizations

Some interesting Neuroscience

Greg Gage of Backyard Brains has turned a Longfin Inshore squid into the newest Ipod accessory by making the squid's chromatophore cells react to music. 

Backyard Brains is an organization dedicated to educating young soon-to-be scientist of our world, and showing them the joys of neuroscience by creating interesting experiments such as re-animating a severed cockroach leg and making it dance.

In the above experiment the Backyard Brains Team attached one of their "Spiker Boxes" to the squids chromatophore nerves in the fin. They then side-chained the electronic signals to an I-pod allowing the music to activate the cells in a colorful display that goes along with the music.

Now if only all labs could be this fun!

For more information check out: http://news.backyardbrains.com/

Eating Cheap and Healthy!

How to Eat Cheap AND Healthy

Looking to eat well on campus but not spend a lot of money? The Environmental Working Group has made a guide book, that can be found here, that goes over not only recipes but buying strategies to ensure you live both cheaply and healthy. Check it out and have some more energy to get your study on!

New Workshop! - Public Speaking

Probably the scariest thing in the world! 

During my time as a post-secondary student, I was never afflicted with the fear of talking in front of my classmates, but this can not be said for many of my friends. Regardless if your in Comparative Literature or Engineering at one point or another through out your university career you will have to speak in front of an audience. 

Imagine this: "You need to make a presentation for your Spanish class in front of the whole class of 40+ people. Some of which you are now friends with, some of which you might be attracted to and the rest you don't know. Your hands are beginning to sweat, you can feel your heart rate begin to increase in speed. You practiced all night but you feel like your about to pass out".

If this sounds like familiar to you, then you shouldn't feel ashamed at all! Fear of public speaking is actually very common. That is why the Student Success Centre is are offering both a workshop and individual consultations on public speaking.

Here are the details:

Presentation and Public Speaking Skills Workshops and Individual Consultations Engaging Presentations ($40) Are you nervous about speaking in front of others? Do you worry that you will forget what you have to say? Do you think that others will grow bored just listening to the sound of your voice? Learn how to develop and deliver dynamic, engaging presentations or speeches. This three-hour session will provide many helpful techniques and tips.  Saturday, September 22, 2012                   9 am-noon          SUB 2-702 (maximum enrolment 25) Saturday, September 29, 2012                   9 am-noon          SUB 2-702 (maximum enrolment 25) Personalized Assistance Receive individual feedback on your verbal and non-verbal communication skills base on a 10-minute presentation or speech (you prepared in advance). Your presentation will be taped to aid feedback. Individual Consultations  ($20 for one hour if you have completed the Engaging Presentations Workshop) ($80 for one hour if you have not completed the Engaging Presentations Workshop)

Academic Success Videos: Strategic Learning

Learning how to be a strategic learner!
Follow the link to the video on a great website!
Academic Success Videos: Strategic Learning

Dont forget that we offer personalized services to help you do better in University.
Come see us in SUB 2-300 and learn about our workshops and individual consultations. 

Get a(n Extra) Life! - How Video Games Can Make You Live Longer

FINALLY - A justification for all the time I've put into Diablo 3!

Jane McGonigal, PhD and author of the book Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How they Can Change the World  (Penguin Press, 2011) is putting all preconceived notions about gaming aside as she seek to enlighten the world on the importance of video games in modern society.

One such example of this was presented in her June 2012 TED talk where she explains the importance of video games in the healing process. Using well backed research she has created a simple game called "SuperBetter" that can add (believe it or not) 10 years to your life!

The game seeks to improve 4 main areas of life: Physical resilience, Mental Resilience, Emotional Resilience, Social Resilience using micro quest such as "shaking hands" or "doing something active". By completing the quest you do not only gain point but also improve on the aspects that lead to a longer happier life!

And people say video games are a waste of time, HA!


To find out more check out the TED talk at : http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_the_game_that_can_give_you_10_extra_years_of_life.html

Or her Website at: http://janemcgonigal.com/meet-me/

Welcome!

Student Success Centre

The Student Success Centre is committed to student success. As such, we have a number of programs and services designed to accomplish this goal. Students facing challenges in their university experiences, requiring specialized supports, or seeking to improve their learning and academic capacity are encouraged to visit our office in the Students' Union Building.