Hard time memorizing! This is so fustrating! Help!

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I'm sitting here trying to study my microbiology using flashcards and I am having such a hard time memorizing the information! My friend has told me I did not have a good memory and now I believe her! (well short-term memory is bad). I was actually accepted to a nursing program this past spring but had to lose my spot. Glad I have the chance to increase my memory before I get back in. Anyway, what are some ways I can increase my memory?

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Contrats on getting into nursing school!

I am pretty sure this bit of advice will be zero help to you now, but in nursing school it will be invaluable. You should get in the habit now of not memorizing things! In nursing school you have to learn the big picture, the who, what, when, where and why of every topic. There is very little that you will have to memorize (yes, I swear this is true), but what you do need to know are things like Prednisone (medication) will cause vasodialation (widening of the blood vessels), which in turn will decrease blood pressure. You will learn the effects of prednisone in your pharmacology class; however, knowing it decreases blood pressure will just need to be something you recall when you think about the systemic effects of vasodialation. I would take a look at what you are trying to learn now in micro, and see if there is another way to learn the information you are trying to understand.

Good luck!

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Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer gave me hope that ANYONE can increase their memory.

I have a lockbox memory, and was lucky in that I have a semi-photographic memory. But seriously, read that book, it will give you hope!

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The only thing that helps me memorize is repetition....Read it a few times.....write it a few times....make flashcards and take them EVERYWHERE with me....I literally will be doing flash cards in the pick up line picking my kids up from school.....in line at the grocery store.....ANYTIME I have a couple of free minutes. Writing it out helps me the most tho....once I have written it a few times it finally starts sinking in.

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This is great advice! If you learn how things work then memorization is unnecessary because it will all make sense! I wish there was some trick to it but I don't think there is, just study, study, study. :)

Also, don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Don't believe that. Memory and intelligence are plastic, meaning that they can form and mold as you use them. Talk positively to yourself every morning. Simply looking in the mirror and saying "I am smart, I can do this" can help immensely. I know it sounds silly but give it a try. Speak it into existence!

Contrats on getting into nursing school!

I am pretty sure this bit of advice will be zero help to you now, but in nursing school it will be invaluable. You should get in the habit now of not memorizing things! In nursing school you have to learn the big picture, the who, what, when, where and why of every topic. There is very little that you will have to memorize (yes, I swear this is true), but what you do need to know are things like Prednisone (medication) will cause vasodialation (widening of the blood vessels), which in turn will decrease blood pressure. You will learn the effects of prednisone in your pharmacology class; however, knowing it decreases blood pressure will just need to be something you recall when you think about the systemic effects of vasodialation. I would take a look at what you are trying to learn now in micro, and see if there is another way to learn the information you are trying to understand.

Good luck!

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Specializes in PICU.
This is great advice! If you learn how things work then memorization is unnecessary because it will all make sense! I wish there was some trick to it but I don't think there is, just study, study, study. :)

Also, don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Don't believe that. Memory and intelligence are plastic, meaning that they can form and mold as you use them. Talk positively to yourself every morning. Simply looking in the mirror and saying "I am smart, I can do this" can help immensely. I know it sounds silly but give it a try. Speak it into existence!

Great advice!!! :)

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