photographic memory real??

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i know i should be in the students section, but maybe you guys have more experience and can answer me this question,,,,, i am in NS and i asked a girl in my class her study technique (because she has the best grades in the class) and the only thing she told me was that she used her photographic memory... i didnt want to question her any longer because she is kind of mean..... but what does photographic memory means? how can i use it??? can i really use it??? does it really work??? ,,,,

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

It's called an eidetic memory. I am not sure if your friend really has one or not. Google it to see what it is.

Yes, it really exists. I don't think you can "get" one, you either have one or you don't.

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A photographic memory or Eidetic memory isn't really something you can get. It's more of a natural ability to remember pages from books/photos almost perfectly with very little exposure to the material. However, since nursing involves a lot of critical thinking I wouldn't believe that an Eidetic memory alone would get someone the best grades in class although it would help.

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilites,.

Photographic memory refers to the ability to recall information exactly as it was written or seen. It is basically like your mind takes a photo of the page and stores it for later use. People are born with this ability.

It is real. I work with a physician that has it and she is amazing.

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Specializes in ED, OR, SAF, Corrections.

I have a cousin that has it. She considers it a curse however, rather than a blessing. She has no patience with small talk, TV talk show ranting (Beck, Limbaugh, etc...) or Jerry Springer type stuff, so she doesn't like to watch much TV or listen to talk radio. She says it's bad enough to have to hear it once, let alone have it in her head until she dies.

I'm not saying that's why your classmate comes off as 'mean' as you say, but many people consider my cousin kind of mean and/or ***** as well - she has problems filing away all the 'crap' and will cut someone off who may ramble or start on a some long roundabout conversation. Imagine not ever being able to forget or get rid of the MASSIVE amount of minutiae you are bombarded with every single day. Just a thought.

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Specializes in Emergency.

yes agreed with the above - it is real and a natural gift that some have. yes one of my coworkers has that ability and is able to draw a picture with minute details after just seeing it once. You can't develop it - you can improve your memory but it will never be photographic like theirs.

You'll just have to work hard and continue to develop your study skills

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, SICU.

Watch the movie "Good Will Hunting" to understand "photographic memory"... by the way, 3 students in my community college microbiology class "claimed" to have photographic memory. I made a better grade than all of them. Who were they trying to kid? They must have thought we went to MIT or something. Your classmate may actually have it, but I am sure there are more that claim to have it, than those that actually do have this rare gift.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I have the ability to remember names, addresses and phone numbers easily. If I am learning a new topic and can place the concepts in a grid, I find it easier to remember. I recommend you find out if your learning preference is visual, audio or tactile. There is a website that helps you test for your preference then, once you id your preference, the site gives you tips on how to learn. BTW, my memory does not extend to website, so I don't recall the address!!!

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Photographic memory refers to the ability to recall information exactly as it was written or seen. It is basically like your mind takes a photo of the page and stores it for later use. People are born with this ability.

It is real. I work with a physician that has it and she is amazing.

You just described me. I can tell you what page it is, what is says exactly as written, what section it is etc. It does exist, when I have to answer a test question and start to second guess, I rewind my brain and I recall where I read the info. It is something you are born with and it doesn't mean that the person who has this kind of memory is intelligent. You can create a photographic memory by highlighting sections with different colors and your brain will recall info by colors. I don't know how to explain it, I hope it makes sense lol. There are so many other studying techniques, you don't need photographic memory to succeed. Honestly photographic memory is like memorizing, but the goal is to learn And not memorize.

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

a radio host i frequently listed to was featured on Good Morning America, 60 minutes, Regis and Kelly and Jimmy Kimmel because of his memory.

No joke, this guy remembers EVERYTHING. Give him a day, any day and he knows.

Couple videos of him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s6OMYdVUZE&feature=related

he is being studied in California for his incredible memory. It truley is real.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I have a photographic memory. I just forget to take the lens cap off.

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I think even better than wishing for photographic memory is to figure out your learning style and exploit it!!

I'm a visual learner. I take notes and draw pictures for studying.

A former classmate showed up for lecture everyday without pen or paper, never took notes, got great grades (auditoy learner).

My husband is a kinesthetic learner, show him how, let him do it, he'll never forget.

The real trick is to find a way to use your learning style to maximum potential.Good luck and happy learning!!

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