As a law student, you are bound to memorize tons of information ranging from legal doctrines to the history of law. But most law students struggle with memorizing things. They think of memory as something they have not got, or that they are not very good at, when in fact it’s very simple to improve and can be extremely useful.
If you’re a law student and you’re struggling to retain your case notes, exams, and all the other information that you need to remember, halt your worries now. In this blog, we’ve listed golden techniques that law assignment writers use to sharpen their memory so they can write the best law assignment help and essays.
Simple Techniques To Boost Your Memory
If you find that your memory is really bad when it comes to retaining the law facts and doctrines you need to know, here are 10 ways guaranteed to sharpen your memory.
1. Use Mnemonic Devices
Mnemonic devices are tools that help your brain remember important concepts. You can use acronyms, rhymes, or word associations to help with learning. A classic example is the mnemonic device “HOMES” which is used to remember the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.
To use mnemonics in law school study habits, imagine you have to memorize cases and what law each case established. You can set up an acronym for each case using the first letter of each word.
2. Find a Memory Buddy
I know, I know: the thought of adding another person to your already crowded law school schedule may seem like a pipe dream. However, a memory buddy doesn’t necessarily have to be your best friend or even someone in your class. A memory buddy can be anyone you trust with whom you can share what you learn as a law student.
This could be someone with whom you study and share notes as well as ideas. Perhaps it is someone who listens when you explain new concepts and quizzes you on them later. It could even be an online friend who helps keep track of what’s due, or a study partner for practice exams and research papers.
The benefits of having a memory buddy are numerous. You will have someone with whom you can discuss what has been learned and how best to remember it. They might even help you pay attention during class, but the most important thing is that working together helps make studying fun, which also improves your ability to retain information long-term.
3. Get Enough Quality Sleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial for a good memory. The brain needs sleep to consolidate and store memories. During sleep, the brain forms important connections between events, people, and places. Adults should get 7–9 hours of sleep per night.
Here are some ways to make sure you get enough quality sleep:
- Set a regular schedule for waking up in the morning and going to bed at night.
- Avoid caffeine after lunchtime. Caffeine can take up to 8 hours to wear off completely, so it may interfere with your ability to fall asleep easily or stay asleep through the night if you have a late-afternoon cup of coffee or tea.
- If you are feeling drowsy during the day even after getting enough night’s sleep, talk with your doctor about whether you might have a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea that is keeping you from sleeping well at night.
4. Repeat Things Out Loud
This is such a simple exercise, but it can make a huge difference. The more senses you use, the better chance there is of retaining information.
- Say words and phrases out loud.
It might seem bizarre to start repeating words and phrases out loud when you are reading or listening to a lecture, but this is actually very effective in helping your brain remember things. The reason for this is that by saying them aloud you are using different parts of your brain than when you just read the information silently. This shifts the information from short-term memory into long-term memory.
- Repeat information out loud.
Another similar technique is to repeat information back out loud as soon as it has been said. So while someone is talking to you, say what they just said back to them in your own words. Again, this will help you remember things better because now not only are you thinking about the information as well as hearing it, but also saying it aloud which helps cement it in your mind further.
It’s even more effective if you can explain concepts that have been discussed in lectures or seminars with others instead of just paraphrasing what was said – this encourages a deeper understanding of the material which will be easier to recall at a later date.
- Record and Listen
Another good habit to get into is recording your professor’s lectures and listening to them later. You can also record them in your own voice by reading from your notebook. This will help you to revise your lectures and to make sure that everything sinks in.
5. Create A Mind Map
Mind mapping is a powerful tool to help you memorize facts and figures. They help you organize information visually, which makes it much easier to remember everything on exam day. You can create a map of what you want to memorize by drawing connections between different ideas and concepts. This means that mind maps can help you:
- remember facts and figures.
- formulate and structure your thoughts better.
- perform better under pressure.
6. Break Up Study Sessions
Break up your study sessions into shorter segments. It is generally recommended to study in fifty-minute increments, separated by ten-minute breaks. Take a break after each segment.
Taking a well-deserved break from studying ensures that you’re at your best during your next session. Pay attention to what happens during your breaks. These periods of rest can be just as important as the actual studying itself, so make sure that you have set aside plenty of time to relax before jumping back into it again!
If possible, separate yourself from technology while taking a break – even if it means turning off notifications on your phone or tablet device so that they won’t interrupt you with texts or emails every 30 seconds!
7. Use Association And Imagination
To sharpen your memory, use association and imagination. When you associate something you want to learn with something you already know, it helps to cement the new thing in your mind—and the best way to do that is by having an image of what you are trying to remember.
For example, let’s say a friend asks WHEN THE NEXT ELECTION IS (your answer is 2025). You can immediately envision yourself in 2025 sitting at a desk wearing business attire (a blazer, heels, and dress pants), but instead of working on a business project, you’re hunched over playing with toy election ballots.
Funny, Right? But this picture will help you conjure up when the next election is whenever someone asks.
You can also imagine similar scenarios for other things such as WHERE THE BEST COFFEE IS IN TOWN (in your kitchen) or HOW TO MAKE A GREAT OMELETTE (while at work; wear an apron and have eggshells clutched between your fingers).
8. Test Yourself
The best way to remember things is to test yourself on them. Practicing what you have learned not only helps you retain information for the future but also builds confidence in your abilities.
Flashcards are one of the easiest ways to test your knowledge. On each one, write a short note related to a topic covered in class and then ask yourself the question which relates to that note on the back of the card (or vice versa). If you prefer, make notes on digital flashcards, such as those available through platforms like Quizlet and Google Docs.
9. Keep A Calendar Of Exams And Due Dates
For law students save, one of the most effective tools to sharpen memory is often the simplest: a calendar. Invest in a calendar that you can carry with you everywhere. Whether you write things down on paper or use an app on your phone, ensure that it’s always nearby. You’ll need to jot down study dates and due dates, plus any other important information relating to the school.
That way, you’re more likely to keep yourself organized and up-to-date on everything that’s going on at school. This will help keep your memory sharp because it will allow you to avoid cramming for exams and essays at the last minute.
Having a reliable calendar is a great way to manage your time—and even if it isn’t working too well for those purposes, having all of the information down in one place is a good start when trying to remember the many things that are happening in your life as a law student!
10. Develop A Positive Attitude
Having a positive attitude is one of the most important things you can do to help your memory. Here are some tips for keeping a positive attitude:
- Don’t worry about things you cannot change.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself.
- Don’t expect perfection.
- Don’t get caught up in the past. There is nothing you can do to change it now, so just let it go!
- Don’t dwell on the negative. If something bad happens, learn from it and move on!
- Don’t forget to laugh! A good sense of humor will help you keep things in perspective and relieve stress.
Conclusion
No matter what your age or ability is, there are several simple memory techniques that you can use to improve your ability to remember things. When you know how to remember things, you’ll have a better time at law school, whether you’re in the classroom, doing research, or preparing for exams. So start following the above simple techniques from today and get prepared to get good grades in your next law exam.