I have studied all types of memory systems commonly available available and read many memory books. I completed some on line memory training courses. I was fairly good at my memory. With age (I am 55 now) it appears I am loosing my capabilities to retain and recall good volumes of quality information. I am not able to find sources that allow one to get trained at basic levels of all types techniques with several examples. While one may say that one has to out hard work and continue to practice, I believe there has to be a significant method by which there is stickiness of recall over a period to believe in the method.
In my case, I am not able to move faster in the training modules in memory league. Not able to recall more items in any test. My scores are visible for anyone to see in memory league. I am looking for dramatic improvement over my present memory levels. How do I train for that?
This is what I suggest: try to do more than you can do and force your brain to memorize more at high speeds.
I don’t know where you are on ML (too lazy to check), but for example if you are at level 8 in words, you need 24 to level up and it gives you 35 words. Instead of being safe and trying to memorize 26 or 28 words, try to memorize the full 35. You will get lower scores, but it’s satisfying and your ability will definitely improve if you do this consistently.
Thanks for the feedback. I have done that. To give you the back ground, I did several online memory courses like pmemory & Ron white courses and have successful completed. I completed the courses successfully with full marks. Over a period of time, I have notices that my general recall has come down, where as my ability to remember using these memory tips and tricks have gone up. Due to this I stopped using these techniques and recently started using mnemonics and major system extensively. I find some where I am missing something as I am not able to use thee effectively. Efforts are there but I am not able to crack the ceiling. I am 54 years old. Any ideas….
Some specifics would help us help you. When you say your general recall has come down, what exactly do you mean? What types of info are you trying to recall? How often did you review this information? In general, if you are trying to memorize stuff permanently, you’re going to have to review. If you use spaced-repetition, your reviews will be more efficient, and that’s why people here are always recommending software like Anki or Memrise to help you with this.
As for what systems to use, it all depends on the type of stuff you’re trying to remember, and for how long. For data you don’t need to remember permanently, especially if you need to remember the data in sequence, memory palaces are the way to go. You memorize them, recall them for a specific purpose (like a competition), then you’re done with it, and don’t need to review. For some things, a different approach is needed. Name and Faces don’t need memory palaces, and neither does vocabulary. Direct association usually works best there. If you’re trying to memorize stuff permanently, like world capitals, or historic dates, you’re going to need to review, and that’s where spaced repetition really shines.
Try not to get caught up into things like Major system vs.Dominic System, vs. Category system. Those are just ways to encode abstract data (like numbers) into words (and therefore images). Regardless of which system you use to encode 00-99, if you choose a 2-digit system, once you’ve got them memorized the system will fade away and you’ll simply remember that 14 = tire, for example.
What are your PB’s for each event in Memory League? We can’t see other people’s performance numbers, just our own. I might be able to give you some specific help. I’m not great, but I’m in Division 3 in the current League.
@tracym! Thanks for the comment. I have come back after a long time. Was too busy in my routine task in my job. I just superannuated from service and look forward enhancing my recall skills . My comments on some of the points raised by you are as under for helping out if possible.
While I did lot of memory courses on line including pmemory, magnetic memory etc, I didn’t apply them seriously in day to day use. I was able to pass all the test easily that indicates my memory recall is good in applying mnemonics. I am voracious reader of books (various kinds), but I hardly remember much of the content. I did use Anki, quizlet etc. It appears to be more of focus. I love watching movies. My eyes don’t get strained while watching good Sci-Fi or martial arts or any good movie, but get strained immediately when start learning some memory skills.
As mentioned by you, I too caught up with too many system. Finally stuck to major phonetic system
I have not tried the software for a long time (may be 4 years or more), will try now and let you know.
Thanks for offering help. I hope it is not too late to reply.
there are some periods where one does not improve much and after a while (sometimes without any training), when we get back to it, we improve a lot. I know a lot of other competitors experienced the same phenomenon. It could have something to do with the time it takes for your brain to integrate new experience or maybe just stress or fatigue.
Once you get back to it, sometimes with a new perspective or a new focus, you might find yourself improving in a way you did not expect.
I also find that making the training fun, and to train new aspects of your memory (either speed, accuracy, or clarity) might help a lot as well.
As far as base memory, not much. But you’ll get close to what you want by grabbing hold of some of the techniques here and practicing them until they’re second nature.
It’s probably due to the Incubation Effect. I too can attest to the fact that your memory skills get better even when you don’t use them for a while. I used to fail at using Pegs for the longest until very recently when everything just seemed to click.
