Top Tips and Tricks to Learn Lots of New Information

Learning lots of information at one time is a daunting task. Especially if you are one of those people that are not naturally gifted with an exceptional memory or who can amass encyclopedic knowledge with seemingly little effort. It can feel like the worst days of school when you are just reading and re-reading the same page of information without it sinking in. But fear not, there are many ways and tactics to help you learn. Here are a few tips and tricks to get you started.

Identification

One of the first things you need to do to learn how to take in more information is to know whether you are more of a sensor or an intuitive learner. A sensor takes in information using mostly their five senses. They start with the details and work towards the big picture. Using the information, they gather to build on the knowledge they already have, a sensor can create a larger picture of the world around them.

Intuitives are more out-of-the-box thinkers who use their intuition to think more about what something could be or what it could develop into. Whilst they use their five senses, they are more interested in what can be developed from the information their senses give them. Intuitives are more likely to start with a bigger picture and work backward from there. They take new information and shine a light on where they are headed.

Discovering which way, you process information is essential when you need to learn new skills or remember new bits of information. Whether you rely on sensing or intuition, both are valid ways to learn if you can identify yourself.

Mnemonics

Specific memory techniques will help you remember information better regardless of how you process information. Mnemonics refers to a system or device designed to help you remember information or phrases using patterns of letters, ideas, or associations. Examples included ROYGBIV to remember the colors of the rainbow (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet).

Common Mnemonics help you quickly remember words or phrases. One of the most common is usually taught in school to help you remember and learn the order of the planets orbiting the sun. It can vary depending on the school and teacher, but common phrases include My Very Early Morning Jelly Sandwich Usually Nauseates People or My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas. The first letter of each word hints you towards the letter of the planet (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

These techniques take a little creativity and practice but once you nail it, you can use this over and over again for several different lists.

Memory Palaces

In a similar style to mnemonics, Memory Palaces can be great mental aids to take in new information. It was invented by orators in ancient Rome and Greek and is both effective and enjoyable to master. It can help you remember a speech you have been practicing or your grocery list.

The memory palace is used by memory champions around the world and was made famous by appearing on the sitcom Sherlock Holmes. How these method works are by associating a location you are familiar with, like your apartment or the route you usually walk, with the items you are trying to remember. You are visually pegging representations of what you want to remember in places you have strong memories of.

Writing Information Down

It has been proven that you are more likely to remember information you write by hand rather than typing it on a screen or listening to it on a record. The physical act of writing stimulates cells at the base of your brain called the reticular activating system. When this system is triggered, you pay more attention to what you are doing.

Keeping your brain more active is easier when you are writing. It is because you are forming each letter not only with your hand but also in your mind. Additionally, when you take notes by hand, you are more likely to reframe the information in your own words which is a more active kind of learning. It will help you take in and understand the information.

Learning

Many people have terrible memories of school and struggle to learn information. This is because schools only tend to teach in one way. However, there are so many different techniques for you to use and to help you take information in. Just be patient and find out what works for you.