Discover what the mnemonic technique is and what it is for!

Are you looking for tools to help you study more and better ? Memorization tricks are great allies because they help you remember a series of data required in tests. The mnemonic method is a good example of this category, so much so that it can be used to support you in reviewing various subjects .

If the term seems a little confusing, know that its meaning is not at all complex. It is likely that you have already used this resource at some point in your learning, either in the classroom or while studying at home.

To learn more about the subject and make the most of the technique, continue reading the article!

What does mnemonic mean?

This peculiar word represents a set of devices used to store important information . They can be combinations of letters, phrases, symbols, diagrams, expressions, sequences of numbers and even graphs related to the topic you want to memorize.

The mnemonic method consists of creating elements that make associations of concepts, lists and formulas to facilitate the work of the brain . With the study process supported by this tool, it becomes easier to remember subjects and return to them when demonstrating your level of knowledge.

Acronyms created from groups of words that explain something or refer to principles, for example, are considered types of mnemonics. It is also possible to use letters to remember fixed positions of objects, to get the order of terms in a quote right, to categorize items according to their level of priority, among others.

Many students create mnemonics based on parodies of songs, or link specific images to historical facts or events. The important thing, regardless of the result, is that these representations make sense to the person who will use them in their learning routine.

How does the mnemonic method work?

The purpose of this technique is to reduce effort and shorten the path to capturing stored data. It works by creating shortcuts so that our minds can quickly access the meanings of various things . Want an example of a very common application?

We’re talking about the trick to find out how many days there are in each month. You know that the totals of 30 and 31 are alternated until the middle of the year, but you need to speed up the answer with some trick. To do this, keep one of your hands closed and observe your anatomy to associate the undulations of the bones with each group of months:

• The joints indicate months with 31 days;
• The gaps between the joints indicate months with 30 days (or less, in the case of February).

In this scheme, you can start counting from either side of the hand and the result will be correct. That is, point January at the first joint, February at the first gap, and so on. At some point, July and August will be identified as months that do not intersect, therefore, they repeat the same number of days.

Understand that the idea is precisely to optimize time in the search for knowledge that you have already had contact with . Just like mindfulness practice and other techniques, the mnemonic method offers support to organize thoughts and put everything to the test in school, college, competition and other exams.

What are the other memorization resources?

There are several ways to stimulate your brain and enhance the retention of content. This variety is positive because it allows you to find the method that best suits your profile or the type of material you are consulting. The tip is to always test different options to create the best study plan .

Below is a summary of the main techniques and their characteristics :

• Rereading : reading the same passage over and over again, with full attention, is an effective way to reinforce messages and make them stick in your memory;
• Conversation or self-explanation : talking about a certain topic out loud helps you absorb the subject, so try to verbalize more or share what you have learned with other people;
• Memory palace : consists of imagining a scene with furniture and accessories and then associating each of these items with a concept that needs to be remembered;
• Associations : acronyms, chains, acrostics and mnemonics are part of this group because they summarize entire sentences in the form of words or acronyms;
• Handwritten summaries : writing down information on paper, with a pencil or pen, requires focus to make the text understandable. This increases concentration on the activity and, consequently, the ability to retain data;
• Reminders : the famous cards (also called flashcards) are great resources for keeping explanations always in view, on a wall, panel or study table;
• Recording : producing audios about the topics you prefer puts self-explanation into practice, not to mention that it generates extra material for you to review while you are away from home (at the gym or on the bus, for example);
• Mind map : works with diagrams composed of figures and arrows that make connections between words or phrases, and can be applied to any subject.

How to take advantage of the techniques?

Each resource mentioned has its positive points and can be useful in creating an efficient study schedule . Therefore, the best strategy to achieve good results is to vary the methods frequently. You start by trying out different techniques to see in which situations they are best used.

Remember that small changes in the way you do things keep your brain active and properly stimulated, which helps to avoid boredom and even burnout. Of course, you will always have your own favorite way of doing things, but it is worth getting out of your comfort zone when you feel like you are lacking motivation.

So, have we managed to answer your main questions about the mnemonic method? It is a simple, easy-to-compose tool that can be adapted to all areas of knowledge. Therefore, be sure to include it in your list of techniques to help you further your understanding of different topics.