Quick glimpse:
Using mnemonic devices will aid you in committing a number of things to memory, especially a sequence of items and those that are unrelated to each other
The Method of Loci or Mind Palace technique is usually suitable for those who have a strong spatial memory because it requires you to visualize a familiar place or location where you will deposit the items that you need to remember
The Link System creates an association between the items to remember in order by making each item the subjects of a storyline or plot
The Peg System is not as versatile as the other mnemonic devices but it is as effective because it requires you to pre-memorize a set of objects that are associated either with shapes or sounds with numbers 1 to 10 or 1 to 100 and so on
Taking notes by hand during a lecture or while you’re reading is more effective than typing
There is a lot of anecdotes claiming that chewing gum for some people is proven to be effective in memory tasks and recall but it’s mechanism and how it does so is undetermined
Mnemonic devices help learners recall the things that they learn. Admit it or not, textbooks and instructional materials sometimes are bland or not fun to read. That is why strategies and methods of recall need to be employed by the learner to help him understand the topic and retain it in his long-term memory. Learning and memory go hand in hand because without the ability to recall, learning is ineffective.
The usage of these devices may be time-consuming, but the time spent around trying to register the concepts and information into your head will serve you good in the long run. Moreover, using these systems will shape and change the structure of your brain, in a way that your capacity for memory storage is augmented.
Most of the systems discussed here are devices used by superior memorists in memory competitions. Even studies confirmed the effectiveness of these methods in increasing the recall capacity of students.
Whether you are a student or someone trying to learn a skill or you simply want to use it for your daily errands in order to improve and protect your brain from age-related memory decline, then using any one of these systems will help you attain the objectives you are pursuing.
You may choose a device that you are comfortable with, or something that suits your learning style. For example, if you register information more quickly by just listening to it, then try the number rhyme method of the peg system. If you have strong spatial memory, the method of loci will be a great memory technique. You can combine creativity and imagination by trying to create imaginary places in the method of loci or write a fiction in your head with the story method of the link system.