Additionally, review Study Guides and Strategies.

Many of the mothods are exceptionally helpful to improving an individual's power of recollection and many topics are covered that are related to education and some are not necessarily relevant to academic success; they are useful in overall college life.

Individuals who desire to increase their cognitive capacity should consistently use these strategies. Below is a list of other accessories that can be used to assist memory.

  • Diary

  • Organizer

  • Personal Computer

  • Calendars

  • Appointment book

  • Beeping key chain

  • Watch with a "reminder" feature

  • Shopping lista

  • Alarm clock

  • Memos

  • Wall/bulletin board displays, etc.

General Principles

  1. Reduce environmental noise.

  2. Reduce/eliminate distractions.

  3. Correct sensory deficits (eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc.)

  4. Make sure room is well lighted.

  5. Get involved in activities that stimulate thinking.

  6. Do one thing at a time and finish it before moving on to the next task.

  7. Highlight when reading.

  8. Take notes when listening.

  9. Paraphrase information when listening.

Activities That Stimulate Attention

  • Board games

  • Walking/Exercise

  • Crossword puzzles

  • Knitting

  • Playing cards

  • Reading

  • Putting together photo albums

  • Discussion/Conversation

Compensations to Aid Retention/Storage

  1. Establish routines and schedules.

  2. Organize environment.

  3. Minimize changes.

  4. Complete one task at a time.

  5. Use lists and check off steps as completed.

  6. Keep items in consistent locations.

  7. Develop a master list of important dates organized by month.
    Transfer these dates to your daily planner at the beginning of each month
    .

General Principles: Medical

  1. Write down questions you would like to ask your doctor as they arise.

  2. During the appointment, write down the answers to these questions.

  3. Keep a chronology of medical care. Include dates, name of physician, list of symptoms or reason for the appointment and care/treatment provided.

  4. Keep a record of medications, who prescribed them, reason for the medication and dosage. Cross this information off the record when you are no longer taking the medication.

  5. Use a medical cassette.

  6. Schedule a time to fill the cassette.

  7. If you are taking medication at many different times during the day, ask your physician if the medication schedule can be simplified.

  8. Do not discontinue or change your medicine schedule without consulting your physician first.

Active Listening Skills

  1. Ask speaker to slow down.

  2. Ask for repetition.

  3. Ask for clarification.

  4. Ask for additional information.

  5. Paraphrase. Repeat information in your own words.

Active Reading Skills

  1. Highlight as you read.

  2. Ask questions of yourself as you are reading to ensure comprehension.
    Who? What? Where? When? How? Why?

  3. Write short summary or synopsis of the information after you read and keep it in the book for review before the next time you pick up the book.

  4. Keep a list of characters and their descriptions in the book. Add to it as new characters are introduced or as characters change or develop.

Using a Daily Planner

  1. Compensates for memory deficits.

  2. Improves organization.

  3. Decreases confusion and misunderstandings.

  4. Documents and accounts for your time.

  5. Eliminates missed appointments.

  6. Helps provide schedules and routines.

Locating Places

  1. Use written directions whenever possible.

  2. Review directions after you write them down with whoever gave them to you.

  3. Write down where you parked your car.

  4. Include descriptions of landmarks to help with pathfinding or locating places.

Meal Planning

  1. Keep a grocery list in a central location. A list can be kept on the refrigerator.

  2. Add to the list immediately when items run low.

  3. Take the list with you when you shop.

  4. When cooking, check off steps or use a marker to indicate where you are in a recipe.