HOW TO STUDY IN HIGH SCHOOL by Snider, Jean. 1983, p36-38
One of the best ways to think about how your memory works is to understand the
phenomena of "planned repetition." First, assume that your brain has Four “layers:”
- LAYER ONE is for "short-term" memory. If there is no
repetition, short-term memory is unreliable. Short-term memory is useful
for many routine daily activities such as making phone calls or following
directions immediately after they are given. It is used for activities that you don't need
to remember very long.
- LAYER TWO is for slightly longer retention. If there is
some repetition, then there is longer retention.
The repetition of the information forces it from Layer One to Layer Two of your memory.
This level of information is not very reliable.
- LAYER THREE represents fairly good retention. If you repeat the
information several times and write it down, since the act of writing itself
creates a "visual image" for your mind to remember. You will have forced
that information into Layer Three memory. Your muscles help you "remember"
as you write, and your mind "sees" the information on paper again and takes
another "picture" of it to "re-store" it in your mind or memory.
This provides much longer retention of information than the first two layers of
your memory.
- LAYER FOUR memory is used when you force information that you
want to remember into your mind by repeatedly thinking about the material during a
period of three to six days. Your conscious choice to repeatedly visualize and write
down the information several times over a period of several days provides excellent retention.
In addition, by using short and rhythmical sentences to "package" the new ideas or
concepts that you want to learn, you can easily remember them!
By creating new interesting "associations" among the facts or sentences that
that you want to learn in a calm relaxed study environment, the "planned repetition" exercise of
your brain can lock the material into your long-term memory.
Return to Thinking Skills-Set #1: Your Smart Thinking Skills
Return to Memory-Skills-Set #2: Your Smart Memory Skills