How to learn big texts and memorize them

Memory is an important aspect of our life. With its help, we can keep in mind the information that we receive throughout life.

The data that our brain gets come to us directly through our senses, it is processed, filtered, and only then we remember the necessary information.You can memorize everything from the words of songs to a large text.

Ways to memorize texts can be different: from simple memorizing to the use of techniques that help to learn the text by heart.

Psychologists distinguish these types of memory:

• visual;
• motor;
• auditory.

Depending on which of these types are better developed, ways of memorizing texts are chosen.

How to memorize large text

It is impossible to say exactly what is the best way to memorize the text, since there are many of them, and they all have different degrees of complexity and types (scientific articles, poems and literary texts).

Also a very important factor to remember is the time of memorizing.

In general, we can highlight recommendations that will help you remember a large text quickly. The basis is the so-called BAOF method.

BAOF technique

• Basic thoughts;
• Attentive reading;
• Overview;
• Finishing.

Now more about this:

1. First read the text, trying to highlight the main idea in it. In this case, do not set yourself the goal to instantly remember it all completely. Analyze the reading, remembering only the main thing that is being said. If possible, it is advisable to write down the main thoughts. Then try to reproduce what you read.

2. In the next step, read the text more carefully, pay attention to the details. In the process of reading, associate the text with its main idea that you highlighted in the previous step. Here you can use a variety of techniques for memorizing. At the end repeat the details and the main content of the text.

3. Then you should review the text. Start reading from the end, while analyzing how correctly and accurately you have memorized the details. Also, you should make a rough outline of the text. Memorize keywords using the association method.

4. At the very end, we repeat the memorized material, retelling it out loud to ourselves or the other person. At the same time highlight the details that you missed. Try not to have a look at the text.

Analyze the places where you made a mistake, try to remember them using association with something.

On Wikium, you can train your memory with the help of special exercises.

Remembering by heart a large text is possible using different ways of perceiving information.

It depends on the type of your memory. One can memorize the text, just listening to it, and the other uses visual perception.

Features of memorizing texts in their native language

These memorizing methods are based on creating an image of what you memorize. They can be divided into categories:

• write what we learn;
• graphic method;
• dividing the text into parts;
• constant reminding

When memorizing texts with a large number of terms or formulas, simply re-reading the material will not be enough. We use the write method in this case.

After reading the text, we highlight the main theses and terms. Then write them down. In this case, you can draw a plan of the text and produce a description on it, highlighting the main quotes, points and terminology.

If you do not have the opportunity to write down, choose the most important thing right in the text, using a pencil or other selection methods.

A schematic representation of the main thoughts of the text allows to remember the information much faster. To do this, you can use graphical diagrams, drawings, sketches and icons.

This method is effective in memorizing complex technical texts.

Method of using pictograms for memorizing large texts

1. Choose the keywords and expressions.

2. Then we draw pictograms for each selected word, so-called pictures, which will allow you to recall it. It may be your association with them, but the pictograms should not be too big. When drawing pictures you cannot make labels. Just draw something which you associate this word or expression with.

3. Use the pictograms to memorize the text. The sequence of pictures should coincide with the main idea of ​​the article.

4. Psychologists recommend memorizing texts by dividing them into small pieces. The material should be divided into not more than 7 parts, each of which should have a semantic connection.

5. You should concentrate on the middle part of the material, since the beginning of the texts mainly contains little specific information, and the end is usually logically clear.

6. If the time allows, the method of constant reminding can be applied. The text to be memorized is divided into parts and printed on paper and is placed in places of your permanent residence, for example, on a refrigerator, in a bathroom or in places of smoking.

Specificity of memorizing texts in English

The process of memorizing foreign texts is much more complicated and takes more time. In order to quickly memorize the text in English, you can record it on an audio player and listen to it, being engaged in normal tasks or when traveling in public transport.

It is important not only to listen to the material, but also to think about it, analyze and highlight important points. Also, the text will be remembered quickly if you describe the plot with the help of drawings and explanations to the text.

An important factor is the time of day when you memorize the material. The best time to memorize is four hours before going to sleep and four hours after getting up.

Memorizing texts without understanding their meaning is much harder and longer. Material in English should be retold in your own words, and not reproduced word by word. Try to memorize parts, plunge into the essence and draw parallels of the content and your life.

Develop your memory

To be able to memorize a large amount of information, we must train the brain. You have to develop the ability to memorize.

There are many exercises for memory. You can choose the one that suits you.

Here are some tips to help you improve your memory:

• Exercise “60 titles in 60 seconds” will help you develop your memory. To do this, it is necessary to name a word every second, for example 60 capitals of the world or the names of plants. At first you will not succeed at such a pace, but you do not be said, speak and remember. Every day you will get better. Practice and after a week you will feel the result.

• The easiest way to develop memory is to memorize texts. First, you must memorize small volumes, gradually moving to large ones. The main process of learning is not to stop, but to do it systematically.

• The method of learning foreign words will allow to improve the ability to memorize texts. During the first week you should memorize 10 words every day. You can learn them in pairs by writing down the words on a piece of paper where you indicate the word and its translation. Then you gradually increase the number of words per day, for example, in the second week - 20 words per day, in the third - 30 words.

The main thing for quick memorizing of texts is to constantly train your memory, try to perform non-standard tasks, for example, if you are right handed, then brush your teeth with your left hand. This will allow your brain to develop new neural connections and make it more flexible.

Words are 10% better stored in memory if you memorize them when you memorize or just say them loudly.

To simultaneously memorize two or more texts that are not related to the topic, try to change the situation when memorizing them. One material is learnt in the room, and the other in the street or in another room. This will allow the brain not to mix information.

After the material is learnt, you should sleep as long as possible, which will allow you to remember information much longer. It is often recommended to learn texts before bedtime, which contributes to better absorption.

Do sport, it improves blood circulation in the brain and memory.