1. Start studying when wide awake - best after good sleep - to facilitate the formation of memory traces.
2. Stimulate synaptic sensitization by admitting the information through several channels. Reading with a low voice helps to admit the information through two channels, vision plus hearing. Each channel sensitizes the other. Also writting is really helpful.
3. Do not study for a long time without a breaks. The primary memory has a limited capacity. So, admission of too much information into the primary memory at one time leads to overflow of information. The early admitted information are forgotten before they are consolidated. Give time for the acquired information to consolidate before admitting new ones.
4. During break time, do not engage in any distracting actions (as watching TV, movies etc). Allow consolidation of memory by sitting quietly, close your eyes and rehearse what you have just studied. A good scheme for studying is to study for 20 minutes, then take a break for 10 minutes.
5. Complete quietness could lead to sleep. A background of non-distracting noise increases the attentiveness and facilitates the formation of the memory traces. Distracting sounds must be avoided.
6. Repeated admission of the same knowledge helps the consolidation of memory particularly the solid material which does not stimulate the reward or punishment systems.
7. Link the information to pleasant or unpleasant experiences, or to famous events or characters. This helps the stimulation of the reward or punishment system. e.g, the symptoms of Parkinsonism is correlated to the Mohammed Ali Clay, the famous international boxer.
8. Tea or coffe may help. Caffein facilitates synaptic transmission which would help primary and secondary memory.
9. Divide long subjects into smaller topics to be studied in separte sessions. This averts overflow of knowledge in the primary memory.
10. Quiet sleep consolidate the memory. Something learned shortly before falling asleep in the evening is retrieved in the morning better than something learned a short while ago in the morning. So, it is better to make your last revision on the evening the day before the examination, not on the morning of the examination.
Physiology book: CNS by Dr Salah Abu-Sitta
No comments:
Post a Comment