HOW TO IMPROVE MEMORY

Evening Star, Issue 23056, 7 September 1938, Page 2

HOW TO IMPROVE MEMORY

TEN RULES TO FOLLOW Many of us hare not made the most of the equipment which we have for remembering. However, certain rules can be laid down which will improve memory in general. 1. Give full attention to any material which needs to be learned. Do not permit yourself to be distracted or occupied with other matters. _ • 2. Be certain that you perceive the matter clearly, that you understand what it is, know its, meaning, have it sharply focussed. 3. Consciously make associations which tie up the new materialjto material with; which you are familiar: 4. Take every precaution to feel-well when beginning upon a memory task, to be fresh and not tired. 5. Wherever possible, attempt whole learning rather than learning part by part. Bead through the entire material and then go back rather than attempt to memorise a small bit at a time. 6. Space your learning, practising intensively for a short while, resting, and then practising again. 7. Repeat frequently and with concentrated attention. If it is memorised material, it is well to recite it aloud, thus impressing it through speech as well as through hearing it spoken. 8. When recalling material, _ if blocked and unable to. get the right clue, do not persist, but rest, stop, and make a fresh start. 9. Check all recalled materiaj in order to be sure that your recognition or feeling of familiarity is acurate. 10. In cultivating incidental memory, keep your eyes and ears alert for new impressions and new sights. Try to make sharp distinctions between what you think and what you see or hear, and in recalling such material, keep a critical eye about what was observed and your own ideas about it.