Study Skills : Memorizing & Understanding Concepts

Memorizing and Understanding Concepts: sub-module 3 of 4 of studying and test-taking

This module will explain strategies for remembering the material you have learned. You will cover a lot of material over a semester and it can be hard to remember everything. These strategies will help you remember the material that you need for a test or exam.

Tips

Understand the concepts.Make sure you understand the concepts first before you memorize them.
Start with the hard stuff.Use the stoplight approach if you are having problems applying or understanding key concepts.
Create colour-coded flashcards.Making flashcards in different colours lets you separate them by subject.

Study Tools

Chegg - Opens in a new window
Create online flashcards to help you study.
Quizlet - Opens in a new window
Create your own flashcards, study those of a classmate, or search their archive of millions of flashcard decks from other students.
Anki - Opens in a new window
A free and open-source flashcard program available on Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile.

Flashcard Template - Word Opens in a new window
Download and print this template to create your own flashcards using mnemonic devices.

How to Remember What You Learn

Strategies to Remember Information

Watch this video to learn several ways to help remember key concepts once you understand them.

You can learn how to use some of the techniques mentioned in the video in the Mnemonics and Flashcards tabs.

6 Strategies for Remembering Information

Mnemonics Use memory aids such as acronyms, rhymes, or phrases to simplify complex information and make it easier to recall later. These tools help create strong mental cues for remembering details.
Cue Cards Write key facts, definitions, or questions on flashcards to actively quiz yourself. This technique promotes active recall, which strengthens memory and helps identify areas that need more review.
Real-Life Scenarios Relate what you’re learning to real-world examples or personal experiences. Connecting abstract concepts to familiar situations makes the information more relevant and easier to understand and remember.
Recitation Speak the material out loud in your own words. This helps reinforce understanding by engaging both your auditory and verbal memory, making the information stick better.
Visual Associations Create mental images, diagrams, or mind maps that link ideas together visually. These associations provide a concrete way to organize and retrieve information more effectively.
Repetition Go over the material multiple times across spaced intervals instead of cramming. Repeated exposure over time helps transfer information from short-term to long-term memory for better retention.

How to Use Mnemonic Devices

Mnemonic devices are memory tools that help you remember information more easily by creating simple associations, patterns, or phrases. They can turn complex facts into catchy acronyms, rhymes, or visual images, making studying more effective and even fun. Using mnemonic devices can boost recall and make it easier to retain important details for tests and assignments.