Memorizing is a skill that can be learned. Whether you’re trying to remember a grocery list or important speech or exam information, the right techniques and methods can make the difference.
Link the material you’re trying to memorize to something you already know. For example, if you’re trying to recall the number of degrees Fahrenheit at which water boils, link it to the word “hydrogen” or an image of a fire hydrant.
Chunking
One effective strategy on how to remember your phone number is through chunking. Instead of trying to remember a long string of numbers, break them down into smaller, more manageable chunks. Chunking – breaking down complex information into smaller pieces – can make remembering easier when learning new information. You can use this strategy when memorizing grocery lists, studying for tests, or learning vocabulary words.
The psychologist George Miller found that the average person can hold about seven bits of information in short-term memory. This includes names, numbers, and digits like phone numbers.
Routines
Kids should know their parents’ phone numbers, doctor’s, and emergency contacts. They should also know their home address. This information helps them if they become lost while out and about.
One way to help kids memorize phone numbers is to use a “routine.” Routines are similar to habits but don’t need a cue to be activated. This means that if a kid has a daily routine of placing their keys on the same hook every morning, they will automatically start doing this when they come in from school.
Another routine is using a phone number chart. They can write their full phone number on the chart or their parents’ and grandparents’ phone numbers on separate columns. Then, they can play with the chart by swiping the numbers like a fly swatter to “remember” their phone number.
Visuals
Visuals can help you remember phone numbers by connecting them to memorable images. There are many systems for converting numbers into images; the most common are number shapes, rhymes, or basic mnemonics (like the number 99 being associated with a baboon).
The brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than text, and studies show that people remember information presented visually more than in text form alone. This is why technical communicators use graphs, charts, diagrams, and photographs in their writing.
However, like any element of communication, the value of a visual is in its context and clarity. High-quality, relevant visuals capture the attention of readers and support comprehension and retention. They also complement the language and tone of your writing.
Music
Whether it’s the lyrics to a holiday song or the periodic table of elements, our brains better remember information set to music. This is because music is associated with strong emotions, which makes it easier for our memories to stick around.
If you’re a musician, you might have experienced this yourself. While rehearsing a new piece, sometimes you can’t remember the next part. It may be because your mind has gone blank, or you are trying to rely on your physical memory (like fingerings).
But the best musicians can “chunk” pieces of music into smaller groups of notes that can fit into short-term working memory. This enables them to focus more on performance and less on the mechanics of remembering.
Singing
Singing is an effective mnemonic device. Many young children learn the alphabet – 26 random letters in a row – by putting them to a simple rhyming tune. And the same technique can work for phone numbers or other information you want to remember.
Singing requires the whole body, so it helps deliver more blood to the brain, which improves focus and memory. It’s also a great way to practice rhythm and melody, which are crucial for early literacy.
And singing can also help those with dementia regain lost memories, especially when they sing familiar songs.
