U.S.A. = Use Some Acronyms

LEARNING and then RETAINING information in courses is essential to gaining useful facts and then succeeding on exams. Why do the methods we use work and how do they get planted in our brains and in our MEMORY?

One method I really found useful for my classes to learn information and memorize it so I could do well on tests, was creating ACRONYMS for things I had to learn and then memorize.

There are several steps in the process of information retention:
1. Memory aids
2. Background knowledge
3. Interest
4. Intention
5. Distribute practice
6. Associate
7. Organize
8. Select
9. Visualize
10. Rehearse
All these combined make up the 'formula' for keeping information in your head for good.

There are also seven essential ways to remember what we learn:
1. Select it (selective about your information)
2. Write it (note-taking, or index cards)
3. Recite it (study groups, reading aloud, taping yourself)
4. Relate it (new information relating to what you already know)
5. Imagine it (mentally visualize your information)
6. Practice it (review material in most helpful way)
7. Anticipate it (anticipating what you'll read or study)

I used ACRONYMS to memorize useful information in my classes. If I make up words to associate key terms in my courses, it is easier to memorize those terms and then learn them in my head. For example, I applied the acronym 'MNEMONIC DEVICE.'
Other mnemonic devices include: acronym sentences, rhymes, link system, method of Loci, and finally visualization.

I created acronyms for my Human Sexuality and my Psychology courses:



AND


This method helps me out a lot because I am a kinesthetic and visual learner. I gain my information through memorization and repetition by associating terms with silly phrases or sentences.
I recommend this method to anyone who wants to gain information and use the learned information in the future or for an exam.

All I had to do was USE study guides to organize my materials and notes in a good format so that I then later could attribute words to the terms in my courses. I thought this was a greatly helpful way to learn new information in organized ways so that I could memorize these details later in my future for my classes.