The second key to effective memorization is:
Write it down.
Studies show that students retain more when they take hand-written notes, and test scores are higher when they’re written. Why? Touch and the act of writing. We hold the pen, the brain sends messages to the hand, the hand sends them back. We’ve added another sense and more of our brain is involved.
So once your presentation is completed, and after you’ve read it both silently and aloud, take out a pad and pen and write it out long-hand. If you really want to get OCD about it, write it both in cursive and in print. (A side note, I’ve heard that most schools don’t even teach cursive anymore and most kids can’t read it. Sometimes, progress isn’t always so). Once again, more of the brain is involved because now you have sight, sound and touch—3 of your 5 senses are involved in the process of memorization. The more brain we use, the better it is.
See you tomorrow when we explore the next vital key…
