The word mnemonic originates from the Greek word Mnemosyne, the name of the ancient Greek goddess of memory. Mnemonics, also known as memory improvement techniques, are tools which help us remember information better. They are based on linking new pieces of information with the already familiar ones. In this presentation you will learn about a few mnemonic methods which might be useful in your studying.

Remembering long lists of items can be tricky, but with acronyms, it becomes a piece of cake! Create a memorable word using the first letters of each item on the list you have to memorise. For example, did you know that you can treat sprains with RICE? No, not literally! RICE is an acronym which includes instruction on what steps to take; Rest the injured area, Ice the sprain, Compress with a bandage, Elevate the injured area.

Our brains love stories! To remember a series of unrelated facts or items, create a funny, silly, or shocking story that connects them. The weirder the better! Just let your imagination run wild and make learning boring facts an unforgettable adventure.

Visuals are powerful memory aids. Try to create vivid mental images that connect the items you want to remember with familiar objects and situations. For example, if you’re learning some new vocabulary in a foreign language, picture the new words in situations you’ve been in. 

Rhymes are not only for nursery‑age kids. They are fantastic memory tools too! Turn any information into a catchy rhyme or a fun poem. You think it’s too difficult? Ask AI for help. It will easily provide all the rhymes you need. Here’s an example of how to remember some information about greenhouse gases: 

“In our world’s fragile atmospheric sphere,

Greenhouse gases trap heat, causing climate fear.

First on the list, we have carbon dioxide,

From burning fuels, it speeds our world ride.”

Just like rhymes, which are pleasant and funny to listen to, catchy tunes can help you remember information. Transform facts and figures into a song or create a rhythmic chant. Even if you’re trying to memorise names of rivers on a certain continent, or something equally unexciting, if you give the list a beat, you will soon discover it’s doable and maybe even fun. 

This method uses visual associations with specific locations. Imagine a familiar route, like your journey to school, and mentally place items you want to remember along the way. As you physically or mentally walk along the route, you should be able to revise the information associated with each location. Don’t waste time on your daily commute. Turn it into a memory‑enhancing adventure!

Colours can help trigger your memory. Assign different colours to various subjects you’re studying. It is a way of organising your material in order to help your brain put information into categories and later retrieving it when you need it. You can choose to find some logical rules according to which you will sort things into groups, or chunk them in a seemingly unrelated way which makes sense to you.

Mind maps are visual diagrams that help you organise and connect different ideas or concepts. Start with a central theme and branch out with subtopics or related information. Use colours, symbols, and images to make your maps visually appealing. Mind maps will help you understand relationships between ideas as well as sort and categorise your knowledge.

Helping your memory is not only about how you organise the material, but also how often you come back to it to revise. According to one theory, if you’re learning something that you want to remember in the long run, you should revise it later the day you first read it, then the next day, then the day after tomorrow, and finally on the seventh day after the first reading.