Does anyone know if it is possible to quickly read and memorize an entire telecommunications engineering book, for example, using mnemonic memorization techniques?
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Possible? Sure.
It depends on how detailed you want to be whether it is at all practical. If you just are looking for broad chapter / topic summaries, then not too tough at all and can be quite useful. If you mean to memorize every word verbatim, then it will be incredibly time consuming and in most cases, highly impractical.
Keep in mind that memorization does not equate to understanding. If you just memorize a book word for word but have no experience with practical application or an ability to flexibly evaluate problems and draw on comparative understanding to what you “know” it won’t do you much good at all.
My advice is always to understand your subject first, then memorize what is actually important and that you will need to use frequently. If not, you’ll be wasting tons of time and effort.
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It is best to understand the text first, i.e. read it section by section, do not stop where you do not understand because you can understand later.
After reading each section, create metaphors and structures of all kinds of pegs to place information or triggers.
You can use mind maps, memory palace, alphabetical pegs, number pegs, etc., any symbols that you can sort, you can also use categories like kitchen objects, room, park, etc., these categories have plenty of pegs that you can use.
Try to get started and generate feedback, it will not be simple at first if you are not experienced, what I can tell you is that memory is infinitely creative and the variants are all kinds, so just use what works and adapt it to that.
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My recommandation would be to memorise a very broad outline first, using a quick memory palace (not spending too much time perfecting it).
After a while using the knowledge in practice, you will know which things you truly need to memorize, because some things will be less important in practice, or with practice you will know the things without memory aid, because you use it so regularly, so the basic knowledge isn’t special anymore.
A memory palace is useful when you put in it the things that you find yourself having to look up again and again. You know what these things are only with practice.
Also your first quick memory palace means you’ll have a first experience with building and reviewing a memory palace, meaning you’ll get better at using the technique. Practicing that is important too, don’t expect it to be perfect the first time(s) you do it.
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That’s right, trying to be perfect is a waste of time and you never start anything that way. In the past, I studied the art of memory so much that I didn’t want to start until I was perfect, but unfortunately, when you start, you make mistakes that are necessary for learning. You only realize what you need and what you don’t need when you practice.
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When your goal is to memorise information from an engineering book I think you should have clear goals in mind about what the outcome will be. What skills are you looking to gain from specifically memorising something out of a book. In this case engineering you might ask yourself what can I build and engineer now that I have information stored in long term memory. Read the learning outcomes in the textbook. This way you will have a clearer vision about the job skills you will have and this will make the goals of memorization much clearer.
Once you know why memorization is something you need, you should research about memory techniques thoroughly. Explore memory league, explore memory books, search for memory techniques on YouTube. When you find a technique that works you will be on your way. But beware of the sea of memory information because there are alot of techniques that are impractical and are only really suitable for memorising things like a deck of cards. I found Ron whites video on YouTube called “how to remember what you read” a useful and insightful video for studying.
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Honestly? It depends on the text book.
STEM topics in general are harder to memorize than humanities, but certain books are easier to memorize than others. For example, Serge Lang’s books on math, though incredibly dense, lend themselves well to mnemonics because of how they are structured: clear, proof-based, and with very little fluff. All the exercises are at the end of chapters, meaning it’s easier to focus on what needs to go in to your memory palace/mnemonic tool.
The general process you’d use would go something like this:
1.) Read the entire chapter, start to finish.
2.) Take a piece of paper, and write down every definition, formula, or bite of knowledge you need to remember. Leave out any examples, context, or secondary information.
3.) Turn those things into Mnemonics, and store them (for example, if you’re using the method of loci, turn each formula into an image that reminds you of the formula, and then place it in an imaginary location)
4.) After a break, review the topics in your memory, attempting to recall the examples, context, and secondary information as you recall each main topic.
Heads up, you will need to review topics more often than you normally would if you’re studying anything STEM.
This will be slow going, but it’s much faster than doing it without mnemonics!
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Let me try to implement this in my studies . Ill be back in the next 7 days to give you my experience as well as seek feedback. Wich me good luck.