tips to memorize

1. TIPS TO MEMORIZE THINGS
QUICKER THAN OTHERS
By:
Dr. Anuar Md. Zain
Senior Lecturer of Anatomy & Physiology
Faculty of Health Sciences, UniSZA Terengganu Malaysia

3. …INTRODUCTION…

4. Memorization is not the end of your
learning process, …
it is the beginning!

5. ...
So, let us begin!

6. No. 17
Use Scrap Paper
• Human anatomy requires you to visualize,
whereby physiology requires you to
understand → use scrap paper/book.
• Draw & label (repeatedly); never forget to
check the spelling!

7. No. 16
Spaced Repetition
(Repetition & Retention)
• How to remember everything
(within short period of
time???

8. REPETITION & RETENTION
(Short term memory – STM)
1st Repetition
RIGHT AFTER LEARNING
(Immediate Memory)
2nd Repetition
AFTER 15 – 20 MINUTES
(Immediate Memory)
3rd Repetition
AFTER 6 – 8 HOURS
(STM Stage 1)
4th Repetition
AFTER 24 HOURS
(STM Stage 2)

9. REPETITION & RETENTION
(Long term memory – LTM)
1st Repetition
RIGHT AFTER LEARNING
(Immediate Memory)
2nd Repetition
AFTER 20 – 30 MINUTES
(STM Stage 1)
3rd Repetition
AFTER 1 DAY
(STM Stage 2)
4th Repetition
AFTER 2 – 3 WEEKS
(LTM Stage 1)
5th Repetition
AFTER 2 – 3 MONTHS
(LTM Stage 2)

10. No. 15
PLAN AHEAD
• It is the most crucial part for the entire semester.
• Gather as many learning materials as you can –
source from lecturer, books, notes, seniors, go
online, etc…
• Create WhatsApp group → get everyone involve!
• Search & download any apps/software – assist
during learning process.
• Create your own daily & weekly schedule.
• Keep everything ORGANIZE!
• Stay healthy and focus.

11. No. 14
Utilize the notes
• Lecture notes are meant to be used during the
lecture session, might be useful during exams!
• Get an early copy of the notes and study (even
if you don’t understand) → in that case, write
a simple note/draw mindmap, etc.
• Bring the note/learning materials during my
class, and you might getting something
different.
• Use tip No.16

12. No.13
Try to Understand What You Learn
• Read the entire information, and figure out
the main point (s).
• Be active during the class, stay focus/alert!
• Using your own words; as simple as you can.
• Eg:
–Understand the learning outcomes / lesson
plan provided for every topic/system.

14. No. 12
Build your own MindPlace
• Associates certain things with a certain
place / note / book / diagram.
• More like = WATCH + LEARN
• Eg: Look at your room and try to recall
that the room looks like in your memory.

15. 15

16. No. 11
Use ABBREVIATIONS or Other words
• Some medical terminology (s) or even anatomical
labels can be so confusing.
• Make your own abbreviation (s) or use other
COMMON words to remember; but please be
assure that your lecturer can understand as well!
• Eg:
– Temporamandibular joint = TMJ
– CTNCC3
– Chewing = Mastication; Swallowing = Deglutition

17. No. 10
Learn the Most Necessary
Information

18. 18
Coronal suture
PARIETAL BONE
Temporal squama
Squamous suture
TEMPORAL BONE
Zygomatic process
Lambdoid suture
Mastoid portion
OCCIPITAL BONE
External occipital
protuberance
External auditory
meatus
Mastoid process
Styloid process
Foramen magnum
HYOID BONE
MANDIBLE
Articular tubercle
Mandibular fossa
MAXILLA
Infraorbital foramen
Temporal process
NASAL BONE
Lacrimal fossa
LACRIMAL BONE
ETHMOID BONE
ZYGOMATIC
SPHENOID
FRONTAL

19. 19
Coronal suture
PARIETAL BONE
Temporal squama
Squamous suture
TEMPORAL BONE
Zygomatic process
Lambdoid suture
Mastoid portion
OCCIPITAL BONE
External occipital
protuberance
External auditory
meatus
Mastoid process
Styloid process
Foramen magnum
HYOID BONE
MANDIBLE
Articular tubercle
Mandibular fossa
MAXILLA
Infraorbital foramen
Temporal process
NASAL BONE
Lacrimal fossa
LACRIMAL BONE
ETHMOID BONE
ZYGOMATIC
SPHENOID
FRONTAL

20. No. 9
Alpha-Omega
(ie. The beginning & the end)
• Remembering the beginning
and the end of the topic /
subtopic.

21. No. 8
Interference Theory
• Switching from one topic to another @
from one activity to another.
• Should rest every 15 – 20 minutes during
learning.
• Switch to something absolutely different.
• Eg: Switching to coloring or drawing
activity or play some music….

22. No.7
Learn Opposite Things
• Words that are normally come in pair.
• If you forget one of them, the 2nd one will help
you to recall the information.
• Eg:
– Cephalic VS. Caudal
– Brachium VS. Antebrachium
– Carpals VS. Tarsals
– Ipsilateral VS. Contralateral

23. No. 6
Use MINDMAP

26. No. 5
Use Nail Words
• Nail one learn thing to another.
• Best practice together with MindMap!
• Eg: If you would like to remember the word
‘NAIL’, try to list other words that logically
connected to the word ‘NAIL’.
– Hammer
– Wood

28. No. 4
Make up stories
• Best to remember a lot of
information in particular order.
• Try to put pieces into a story.

29. No. 3
Use a Tape Recorder
• Record & listen – couple of times (in a day)!
• You can do it while breakfast or daily jog.
• You read the information (notes) through your
eyes; and heard it through ears.
• THE MORE CONTACT YOU HAVE WHILE
LEARNING; THE BETTER YOU MEMORIZE IT!

30. No. 2
VISUALIZE
• Use your body language while
learning, this will help to trigger
your muscle memory.
• We shall demonstrate this
method in a short while!!! Be
patient!

31. No. 1
Choose only the BEST MATERIAL (S)
• Don’t use outdated books @ type of
learning.
• Go online, check the most recent
information for the subject, make some
connections with colleagues from other
UAs → networking!

32. Do you know any
other memorizing
tips???

33. Memorization is easiest if
questions are answered out
loud and also in writing.

34. Thinking an answer is better
than not studying at all
…Ouchh!!!

35. While study, don’t try to
swallow an entire topic in one
huge gulp!

36. 36
Eyes and ears will convert image →
Nerve impulses → transmit info
To your brain
Heart will beat 70 times a minute →
Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Will die & immediately replaced
by new ones
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important
Materials and remove unwanted materials
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)
Your digestive system will starts
To digest (processing) your last meal
→Transfer into your bloodstream
→ deliver to your cells as fuel
Brain outputs to you muscles →
Maintaining good posture, move your
Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
As you read it
Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Your nerves and muscles →
To trigger certain muscle contraction
& relaxation
You will breath in and out
12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
You will use about 2 calories of energy
(from your food digestion) → support
Your body demand and contracting muscles
(*burn more calories)
When you breath, it will boost
Your immune & lymphatic system!!!

37. 37
Eyes and ears will convert image →
Nerve impulses → transmit info
To your brain
Heart will beat 70 times a minute →
Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Will die & immediately replaced
by new ones
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important
Materials and remove unwanted materials
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)
Your digestive system will starts
To digest (processing) your last meal
→Transfer into your bloodstream
→ deliver to your cells as fuel
Brain outputs to you muscles →
Maintaining good posture, move your
Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
As you read it
Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Your nerves and muscles →
To trigger certain muscle contraction
& relaxation
You will breath in and out
12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
You will use about 2 calories of energy
(from your food digestion) → support
Your body demand and contracting muscles
(*burn more calories)
When you breath, it will boost
Your immune & lymphatic system!!!

38. 38
Eyes and ears will convert image →
Nerve impulses → transmit info
To your brain
Heart will beat 70 times a minute →
Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Will die & immediately replaced
by new ones
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important
Materials and remove unwanted materials
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)
Your digestive system will starts
To digest (processing) your last meal
→Transfer into your bloodstream
→ deliver to your cells as fuel
Brain outputs to you muscles →
Maintaining good posture, move your
Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
As you read it
Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Your nerves and muscles →
To trigger certain muscle contraction
& relaxation
You will breath in and out
12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
You will use about 2 calories of energy
(from your food digestion) → support
Your body demand and contracting muscles
(*burn more calories)
When you breath, it will boost
Your immune & lymphatic system!!!

39. 39
Eyes and ears will convert image →
Nerve impulses → transmit info
To your brain
Heart will beat 70 times a minute →
Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Will die & immediately replaced
by new ones
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important
Materials and remove unwanted materials
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)
Your digestive system will starts
To digest (processing) your last meal
→Transfer into your bloodstream
→ deliver to your cells as fuel
Brain outputs to you muscles →
Maintaining good posture, move your
Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
As you read it
Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Your nerves and muscles →
To trigger certain muscle contraction
& relaxation
You will breath in and out
12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
You will use about 2 calories of energy
(from your food digestion) → support
Your body demand and contracting muscles
(*burn more calories)
When you breath, it will boost
Your immune & lymphatic system!!!

40. 40
Eyes and ears will convert image →
Nerve impulses → transmit info
To your brain
Heart will beat 70 times a minute →
Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Will die & immediately replaced
by new ones
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important
Materials and remove unwanted materials
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)
Your digestive system will starts
To digest (processing) your last meal
→Transfer into your bloodstream
→ deliver to your cells as fuel
Brain outputs to you muscles →
Maintaining good posture, move your
Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
As you read it
Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Your nerves and muscles →
To trigger certain muscle contraction
& relaxation
You will breath in and out
12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
You will use about 2 calories of energy
(from your food digestion) → support
Your body demand and contracting muscles
(*burn more calories)
When you breath, it will boost
Your immune & lymphatic system!!!

41. 41
Eyes and ears will convert image →
Nerve impulses → transmit info
To your brain
Heart will beat 70 times a minute →
Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Will die & immediately replaced
by new ones
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important
Materials and remove unwanted materials
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)
Your digestive system will starts
To digest (processing) your last meal
→Transfer into your bloodstream
→ deliver to your cells as fuel
Brain outputs to you muscles →
Maintaining good posture, move your
Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
As you read it
Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Your nerves and muscles →
To trigger certain muscle contraction
& relaxation
You will breath in and out
12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
You will use about 2 calories of energy
(from your food digestion) → support
Your body demand and contracting muscles
(*burn more calories)
When you breath, it will boost
Your immune & lymphatic system!!!

42. 42
Eyes and ears will convert image →
Nerve impulses → transmit info
To your brain
Heart will beat 70 times a minute →
Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Will die & immediately replaced
by new ones
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important
Materials and remove unwanted materials
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)
Your digestive system will starts
To digest (processing) your last meal
→Transfer into your bloodstream
→ deliver to your cells as fuel
Brain outputs to you muscles →
Maintaining good posture, move your
Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
As you read it
Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Your nerves and muscles →
To trigger certain muscle contraction
& relaxation
You will breath in and out
12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
You will use about 2 calories of energy
(from your food digestion) → support
Your body demand and contracting muscles
(*burn more calories)
When you breath, it will boost
Your immune & lymphatic system!!!

43. 43
Eyes and ears will convert image →
Nerve impulses → transmit info
To your brain
Heart will beat 70 times a minute →
Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Will die & immediately replaced
by new ones
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important
Materials and remove unwanted materials
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)
Your digestive system will starts
To digest (processing) your last meal
→Transfer into your bloodstream
→ deliver to your cells as fuel
Brain outputs to you muscles →
Maintaining good posture, move your
Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
As you read it
Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Your nerves and muscles →
To trigger certain muscle contraction
& relaxation
You will breath in and out
12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
You will use about 2 calories of energy
(from your food digestion) → support
Your body demand and contracting muscles
(*burn more calories)
When you breath, it will boost
Your immune & lymphatic system!!!

44. 44
Eyes and ears will convert image →
Nerve impulses → transmit info
To your brain
Heart will beat 70 times a minute →
Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Will die & immediately replaced
by new ones
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important
Materials and remove unwanted materials
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)
Your digestive system will starts
To digest (processing) your last meal
→Transfer into your bloodstream
→ deliver to your cells as fuel
Brain outputs to you muscles →
Maintaining good posture, move your
Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
As you read it
Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Your nerves and muscles →
To trigger certain muscle contraction
& relaxation
You will breath in and out
12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
You will use about 2 calories of energy
(from your food digestion) → support
Your body demand and contracting muscles
(*burn more calories)
When you breath, it will boost
Your immune & lymphatic system!!!

45. 45
Eyes and ears will convert image →
Nerve impulses → transmit info
To your brain
Heart will beat 70 times a minute →
Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Will die & immediately replaced
by new ones
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important
Materials and remove unwanted materials
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)
Your digestive system will starts
To digest (processing) your last meal
→Transfer into your bloodstream
→ deliver to your cells as fuel
Brain outputs to you muscles →
Maintaining good posture, move your
Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
As you read it
Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Your nerves and muscles →
To trigger certain muscle contraction
& relaxation
You will breath in and out
12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
You will use about 2 calories of energy
(from your food digestion) → support
Your body demand and contracting muscles
(*burn more calories)
When you breath, it will boost
Your immune & lymphatic system!!!

46. 46
Eyes and ears will convert image →
Nerve impulses → transmit info
To your brain
Heart will beat 70 times a minute →
Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Will die & immediately replaced
by new ones
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important
Materials and remove unwanted materials
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)
Your digestive system will starts
To digest (processing) your last meal
→Transfer into your bloodstream
→ deliver to your cells as fuel
Brain outputs to you muscles →
Maintaining good posture, move your
Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
As you read it
Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Your nerves and muscles →
To trigger certain muscle contraction
& relaxation
You will breath in and out
12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
You will use about 2 calories of energy
(from your food digestion) → support
Your body demand and contracting muscles
(*burn more calories)
When you breath, it will boost
Your immune & lymphatic system!!!

47. 47
Eyes and ears will convert image →
Nerve impulses → transmit info
To your brain
Heart will beat 70 times a minute →
Pumping merely 5 liters of blood to your lungs
& to the rest of your body
Approx. 150 million of old RBCs
Will die & immediately replaced
by new ones
➢1 liters of blood will flow through
your kidneys → conserve important
Materials and remove unwanted materials
→ Via URINE (1 ml of urine in 2 -3 minutes)
Your digestive system will starts
To digest (processing) your last meal
→Transfer into your bloodstream
→ deliver to your cells as fuel
Brain outputs to you muscles →
Maintaining good posture, move your
Extrinsic muscles of your eyes → across the page
As you read it
Neurotransmitters will
Simultaneously carry signals between
Your nerves and muscles →
To trigger certain muscle contraction
& relaxation
You will breath in and out
12 times a minute →
Exchanging merely 6 liters
Of air
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Of O2 and produce 200ml of CO2
You will use about 2 calories of energy
(from your food digestion) → support
Your body demand and contracting muscles
(*burn more calories)
When you breath, it will boost
Your immune & lymphatic system!!!

48. Use review (past’s year) questions
to study
…Use 4 – 5 question at a time!
Hide the answers & don’t do it in
your head…Use scrap paper!

49. Once you’ve mastered 4-5
questions, don’t simply rush to
newer material → CONSOLIDATE
the older material by going back
and review the questions
(Important for your LTM)

50. REVIEW
REVIEW
REVIEW
REVIEW
REVIEW

51. Once you know the entire set, you
will be surprised at how quickly you
can review it
…Don’t put it aside completely!

52. Spend an hour or so, each week
reviewing topics you’ve
mastered.

53. Always remember...
Memorization is not the end of your
learning process, it is the beginning!

54. Once you’ve remembered, now
it is time for you to use it and
apply it!

55. Don’t forget to take a
nap or sleep