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The Art of Memorization: Acquiring and Storing Knowledge the Right Way

Knowledge is a piece of information about anything that one possesses, and it's an important component that reflects education. That's why the process of storing information in the brain - memorization - needs to be mastered, as it becomes a crucial aspect of learning. It's essential that you learn to do it effectively to recall the information when needed.

Our brain has two types of memory: short-term and long-term. Short-term memory can only store information for a limited time, while long-term memory can retain information for a lifetime. To succeed as a student and professional in any profession, you need to focus on storing information in your long-term memory.

The Principles of Memorization

According to H. B. Drake (1939), effective memorization is key to mastering new words, concepts, and ideas. Here are some proven principles Drake suggested to help you memorize words and other valuable information:

• Prioritize frequently used words: Words of most frequent use must be learnt first. This means mastering simple words before moving on to harder ones, as big words are often made up of smaller words.
• Learn in moderation: Words must be acquired a few at a time. Aim to learn 2-3 words per day, and 10-15 words per week.
• Repetition is key: Words must be mastered by repetition. Repeat new words to yourself regularly, and use them in conversations with friends.
• Context is everything: Words must be both acquired and mastered, not in isolation, but in association. Associate new words with words you already know, similar meanings, opposite meanings, or words with the same root.

Applying the Principle of Association

To form effective connections and associations with new words, consider the following:

• Associate words with similar meanings (e.g., courage, boldness, bravery). E.g. The courage of a lion is not the same with the boldness of a tiger.
• Associate words with opposite meanings (e.g., courage, cowardice). E.g. Tayo's cowardice won't let him kill a fly, but the courage of Bayo has made him a great warrior.
• Associate words with the same root (e.g., courageous, courageously, encourage, discourage). E.g. Though Bayo is courageous, he was discouraged to go to the war by the people's fear.

Tips for Effective Memorization

• Learn 2-3 new words about your aspired profession per day, and review them regularly.
• Use flashcards to help you remember new words and their meanings.
• Practice active recall by testing yourself on new words.
• Associate new words with words you already know, or with personal experiences.
• Use new words in sentences or conversations to reinforce your understanding.

Memorization is an art that needs to be mastered for you to gain effectively from it. Learn and apply the above principles of memorization to improve your vocabulary in your chosen profession and achieve academic success.