How to Remember Everything

Everyone has experienced moments when they struggle to recall something important. The good news is that no one actually has a "bad memory." By applying these simple tips, you can enhance your memory, making it easier to retain information, whether it’s for learning lessons or remembering a shopping list.

Don’t multitask. Focus is crucial for retaining information. Keep things simple, which is why you sometimes forget what you went into a room for. This happens because your mind is distracted by other thoughts, such as planning a party or thinking about a new TV show. When studying or trying to remember something, focus solely on that task. Don’t think about your friend’s party this weekend. Avoid multitasking; otherwise, you won’t complete anything effectively.

Avoid External Distractions. When it's time to study, distance yourself from anything that could waste your time. This means leaving home, stepping away from family, friends, pets, or the TV when you need to focus.

• Find a dedicated space just for studying and refrain from doing anything else there (like paying bills or indulging in entertainment). Make sure that space is only for learning, as this helps your brain stay focused on the task at hand.
• Choose a bright, well-ventilated area so you can stay alert and avoid distractions.
• If you find yourself struggling to study or unable to remember what you’ve learned, take a short break (but not too long and avoid activities that waste time like browsing the internet). Go for a walk or hydrate yourself.

Avoid Internal Distractions. Sometimes distractions don't come from others but from your own mind. Often, while studying, your brain isn't focused on the material but rather drifts to thoughts about an upcoming party or the utility bill you need to pay.

• Keep a separate notebook to jot down any distracting thoughts. If it's something to do later (like paying the bill), write it down and set it aside so you can stay focused on the task.
• Consider distractions as a reward. Tell yourself that once you finish reading (and truly understanding and remembering it), you’ll allow yourself a break to daydream or reflect.

Study in the Afternoon. Research has shown that the time of day greatly impacts how well people remember information. Even if you consider yourself a night owl or a morning person, try to tackle the most important subjects in the afternoon. You'll retain the information more effectively.

Summarize Each Section in the Margins. When reading something you need to remember, write a brief summary in the margins of each section. Not only does writing help reinforce memory, but it also serves as a prompt when reviewing notes or preparing for tests.

• Jot down the key points of what you're reading, so that you can stimulate your memory when needed, and demonstrate that you’ve understood the material you've studied.

Write it Down Repeatedly. Writing something multiple times helps cement it in your memory, especially for challenging information like dates or foreign language vocabulary. The more you write, the more likely it will stick in your mind.

Apply Memory Tricks. Some things are really difficult to remember through associations or observations, so we need to use other memory techniques, also known as tricks. There are many different tricks you can use. Some methods work better for certain types of information than others.

• Create words from the first letters of what you need to remember. Take the first letter of each word and combine them into a memorable word. For example, you could create the word H.O.M.E.S to remember the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior).
• Mnemonics are very useful for remembering patterns. Come up with a silly phrase or rhyme using the letters of the words. For example, to remember the word 'necessary,' you can use 'Never Eat Cake; Eat Salad Sandwiches And Remain Young.'
• Create relative sounds. Essentially, these are nonsensical phrases to help you remember the first letters of a sequence of information (commonly used in mathematics). For example: 'Thường Ngày Làm Thêm Nghiên Cứu Công Trình' helps remember the order of operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
• Additionally, you could write a short poem or rhyme to remember important information. For instance: “Nếu c không đứng trước/Hoặc khi phát âm a/Thì trước e i đứng/ Lấy ví dụ như weigh” helps you remember the position of the letters 'e' and 'i' when they appear together.

Use Word Associations. There are many types of word associations, but the key to all of them is connecting what you already know with what you’re trying to remember, and the things you know will trigger the rest.

• Use quirky or unusual images to trigger a memory. For example, if you're trying to remember JFK's involvement in the Bay of Pigs invasion (in Cuba), imagine the president swimming in a sea full of pigs. It might sound silly, but the association between the sea and pigs will trigger JFK's name, which you won’t forget.
• Number associations link numbers to images in your mind. This is one reason why people choose meaningful numbers for their passwords (like birthdays, pet birthdays, anniversaries, etc.). So, if you’re trying to remember your library number (e.g., 52190661), think of May 21, 1990, as your sibling’s birthday (which includes 52190). Then think of your mother being 66 years old and that you only have one mom (which corresponds to 661). When you need to recall the number, just think about your sibling’s and mother's birthdays.

Visualize It. If you want to keep something fixed in your memory, make a conscious effort to observe it closely. Focus on the details. For example, if you're memorizing a novel, pay attention to the characters’ images and specific scenes, and make sure you have a ‘visual tool’ to help recall those characters and specific scenes.

Create a Story. When you need to remember a series of images (or words, like a shopping list), create a small, slightly silly story to make it memorable. The story will lock the images in your mind, so you can recall them later.

• For example, if you need to remember to buy bananas, bread, eggs, milk, and lettuce, you could create a story where a banana, a piece of bread, and an egg have to rescue lettuce from a lake of milk. The story is absurd, but it connects all the items on your shopping list and helps you remember them.

Rearranging items in your home. A clever way to remind yourself to do something is by placing items in clearly wrong positions around the house. For instance, placing a heavy book in front of the door can remind you to submit your final homework assignment. When you spot an item out of place, it triggers your memory.

Exercise. There is a strong connection between physical and mental health, so maintain your fitness to boost mental wellness and memory.

• Take a 30-minute walk daily. It's a gentle form of exercise (and you might discover new places along the way!). The mental health benefits from regular exercise will last for a long time.
• Aside from walking, there are plenty of other fun ways to stay active! Try yoga or turn up some music and dance.

Train your mind. Stimulating your brain helps prevent memory loss and enhances overall memory. Activities that challenge your brain will leave you feeling tired afterward, but in a good way, pushing you to rest. Examples include solving math problems, learning sewing, or reading dense material.

• Change things up. To prevent your brain from becoming complacent, keep learning and trying new activities. This will shake your brain out of a lazy state and enhance your memory. For example, you could learn new vocabulary each day or study your country's history. These activities will make you smarter and boost memory.
• Additionally, try memorizing a poem over several weeks. It’s a fun party trick (if you're a book lover) and will improve your memory. Try the poem 'The Fox and the Grapes'!

Get enough sleep. Sleep is crucial for improving and maintaining memory. That's why you shouldn't stay up late cramming for exams. Instead, study in the afternoon, then get a good night's rest so your brain can process all the information you've taken in.

• Strive to get 8 hours of sleep each night, so your brain can go through all the important stages of rest, and you’ll feel refreshed.
• Turn off all electronics at least 30 minutes before bed to calm your brain and prepare for sleep. This means all devices: phones, computers, etc.

Speak aloud. Speaking out loud while studying can help you remember information better. For example, if you often forget things like whether you've turned off the heater, you can say out loud, "I have turned off the heater." This will help you recall that you’ve turned it off in the future more effectively.

• Repeat the names of people you've been introduced to (but make it natural). You can say something like, "Hello, Anna, nice to meet you." This helps strengthen the connection between the person and their name, making it easier for you to recall later.
• This technique can also be applied to remembering dates and locations. For instance, if you're invited to an event, repeat the invitation to the person who invited you, saying something like, "It’s at the Central Theater at 6 PM, right? I can’t wait!"

Be observant. Even though practicing your mind won’t make you the next Sherlock Holmes, improving your observation skills will significantly help you remember things (like people, faces, names, and where you placed your car keys). Developing this skill takes time, but the long-term benefits are well worth the effort.

• Practice this skill by observing a scene deeply (you can do this anywhere: at home, on the bus, at work), and then close your eyes, trying to recall the scene in as much detail as possible.
• You can also practice with photographs, especially ones you aren’t familiar with. Look at a photo for a few seconds, then turn it over, and try to remember as many details as you can. Repeat this with other photos.

Eat brain-boosting foods. Many foods can help improve your memory in the long term. You should include them in your diet as part of a balanced eating plan, but they are essential for maintaining good memory. Foods rich in antioxidants (like broccoli, blueberries, and spinach) and Omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon and almonds) should be included in your meals.

• Try eating 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day instead of 3 main meals. This can help prevent blood sugar spikes that can impair brain function. Be sure to focus on eating nutritious foods.