In the pursuit of educational excellence, the fundamental skill that stands out is the capacity for memory retention and recall. Possessing the ability to commit information to memory and retrieve it when necessary is critical for excelling in examinations.
Yet, the path to mastering memory retention is fraught with obstacles for many learners.
Challenges such as the sheer volume of information, stress factors, and constant distractions can impede effective learning. The tips listed below will help improve your memory for studying and give you the necessary progress to remember information on exam day.
1. “Memory-Friendly” Diet
Harvard Medical School highlights the power of diet in boosting memory function, revealing that unhealthy fats – the same ones known for blocking arteries and harming the heart – can also impact brain health negatively.
Research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that diets rich in saturated fats (think red meat and butter) led to lower scores in memory and cognitive tests compared to diets low in these fats.
Let’s pivot our diets towards something better – swapping out the bad for good fats found in stuff like fish, olives, and almonds. When studying hard for exams rolls around again remember to stock up on food like fruit salads or tasty seafood dishes!
Adding in some greenery such as veggies along with other staples such as brown rice is essential too. These not only make sure your arteries are running smoothly but also stop those tummy rumbles which means less distraction and more focus!
2. Give Up Multitasking
When you’re deep into your exam prep, phone within arm’s reach, and suddenly a message from a friend pops up, it’s tempting to pause studying and respond. Surprisingly enough, going down that road is at odds with what scientists have found and weakens our grasp on learned information.
From the halls of Stanford, there comes word of a trend that’s raising eyebrows. People who juggle different types of media all at once, or those heavy into flipping from one to another, usually find it tougher to remember basic stuff than folks who stick with one thing at a time.
It turns out distractions really throw a wrench in the works when your brain is trying to lock down new info.
You may want to log into a reading app or watch your favorite show, but on exam day it’s best not to do that. You can even take a memory retention test and see if multitasking leads to worse retention of material.
You still have time to read online from Fiction Me or watch the next episode, but put it off until later. On the day of the exam, your focus should be only on the study material.
3. Do More Than Just Read
To enhance the transition of information from short-term to long-term memory, especially for exams, it involves actively engaging with the material. Merely transcribing it verbatim is not effective since it engages minimal cognitive effort and does little for retention.
Rather, restructuring the information into formats such as bullet points, tables, mind maps, or lists can significantly improve memorability and recall during exams.
4. Put It Into Practice
After absorbing new information, it’s crucial to apply what you’ve learned through activities like worksheets or practice exam questions. By trying this strategy, you’re not only checking what’s stuck in your brain but also making sure it stays there – all set for exam day.
Go ahead and hit up Google for some sample questions – there’s no shortage out there!
But here’s the catch – sift through them carefully to pick what best matches your course needs. Consider consulting your tutor to verify the suitability of these questions. It’s like avoiding the deep end until you’re ready; no need to tangle with super tough questions before it’s time.
5. Utilize Mnemonic Devices
Mnemonic techniques serve as efficient strategies to help remember and retrieve information more easily. Utilizing tools like acronyms, melodies, or rhyming phrases can significantly aid in memory recall.
For instance, the playful phrase “Naughty Elephants Squirt Water” stands as a mnemonic that aids in remembering the sequence of the cardinal directions: North, East, South, and West. The beauty of mnemonics lies in their flexibility—feel free to invent and personalize them to suit your learning style!
6. Get More Exercise
Recent studies from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have shown that regular physical activity enhances the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an essential element that keeps neurons working at their best. Furthermore, insights from
Harvard Medical School indicates that the memory-boosting effects of consistent exercise become apparent six months after incorporating it into your routine.
Incorporating exercise into your schedule, especially amidst the demanding periods of IT exam preparation, can not only serve as an effective method to alleviate stress but also contribute significantly to your overall health and mental clarity.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advises achieving a total of 150 minutes of physical activity weekly. This can be accomplished through various short sessions scattered across your week or by dedicating specific times for more extended exercise periods.
Conclusion
To ace IT certification exams, it’s crucial to commit numerous key terms and concepts to memory. Consequently, preparing your mind for this challenge is essential.
Enhancing your memory retention — thereby increasing your likelihood of achieving IT certification — can be achieved through various strategies. These include ensuring you get ample rest and being selective about your drink choices.
