Just as you can use strategies to improve your ability to concentrate, you can also improve your ability to store information in your brain for future use. Psychologists and learning specialists have developed a number of strategies you can use when studying. Some of these strategies might be new to you, but others will be familiar.

Have you ever had to memorize a speech or lines from a play? How you remember the lines might depend on your learning style. If you’re an aural learner, you might decide to record your lines, along with those of other characters, and listen to them on tape. If you’re a visual learner, you might remember best by visualizing where your lines appear in the script. If you learn best by reading, you might simply read the script over and over. If you’re a kinesthetic learner, you might need to walk or move as you read the script.

Although knowing specific words will help, remembering concepts and ideas can be much more important. To store such ideas in your mind, ask yourself these questions as you review your notes and textbook material:

To prepare for an exam that will cover large amounts of material, you need to reduce your notes and text pages into manageable study units. Review your materials with these questions in mind: Is this one of the key ideas in the chapter or unit? Will I see this on the test? Five study tools in particular can help you remember what you have learned: review sheets, mind maps, flash cards, summaries, and mnemonics.