How do you improve short term memory?

Question

Links to articles and other ideas would be great.

Answer 1

1. Things that you remember actively you store better than things that you passively absorb. So taking notes during a lecture is better than just sitting and listening.  The more active, effortful the learning, the more you're going to remember it.

2. Learn something, then take a break for a few hours doing something that requires concentration - like a crossword puzzle - just something else. Then come back and review. Then go back a day or two later and review. You are not going to remember things well that you don't intermittently review (preferably at least twice).

3. Try mnemonics - tricks to remember. Like, if you're trying to remember a list make an acronym that you can remember "King Philip Came Over From Germany Singing" is a classic mnemonic to remember the biological classification system (kingdom, phyla, class, order, family, genus, species). Sometimes pairing a visual image with a word helps some people remember.

4. If you're a scatterbrain, just break down and carry something with you can take notes on. Your ipod, post-it notes, whatever. Set up a system to organize yourself and review the things you want to remember.

5. If you're having serious trouble with your memory, check with your doctor to make sure that there's nothing physical wrong with you (e.g. depression can cause memory problems - but so can thyroid problems).

6. Make sure you get enough sleep and that your stress is under control. If you're constantly distracted by worries, etc. You're not going to be able to pay attention enough to your environment to remember things!