Memory Palace Learning Technique- My Approach in 7 Simple Steps

Memory Palace is one of the most powerful memory and learning technique. The ability of people to learn and store any information in their brain, in order to process it later, is one of the most important characteristics of our existence.

So, you are looking for techniques in order to boost your memory even if you are learning new words in foreign language, that’s awesome! You are in the right place because we want to share with you a quite interesting memorizing method, improving these skills.

We all know how much our memory is affected by our lifestyle, the everyday struggles we ​​have to cope with and the procedure of aging. But this should not in any case be an inhibiting factor, as we are qualified to constantly learn new information and be able to recall it whenever we need it. Therefore, because memory enhancement is also a skill, we can cultivate it, develop it and improve it. 

What is the memory palace learning technique?

Memory palaces are one of the oldest memorization techniques, especially when one wishes to enhance his or her memory and remember any kind of information long after it has been memorized.

This memorization technique has been used since ancient times, and you can search for it as the “Method of Loci”, or you may have come across with this method in an episode of Sherlock Holmes. He mentions that he is a supporter of this method to remember events and to solve his mysterious cases. 

For me personally, it is one of the best tools that I have been using for years now to incorporate new words and information that I learn, like a foreign language.

How does a memory palace as a system work?

The basic principle of this technique is that you have to associate the information you want to remember with the parts of a place, familiar to you. Such places can be your home, your workplace, or even some outdoor space that you know well.

You should know every little detail of it because you will have to visualize the space in your mind, even with yourself standing or walking in it. The best thing is to connect all your senses to this place or room as if you were living in the moment. In general, you should associate every piece of information you want to remember with the room in your palace, that is, your house.

Let’s take the example that you want the palace to be related with a few new words of the language you are learning. Then, if you assume that you have some food words to learn, you should associate it with your kitchen and so on. Our brain with this process, may absorb the new information efficiently and also will be easier to recall.

Memory palaces work very well on each new piece of information that needs to be remembered. It just takes practice and time. So, it can be used to learn a new foreign language e.g., Greek or even giving a fantastic work presentation!

How to build a memory palace

The main idea behind building your ideal memory palace is by creating links between information and a location which you know well. Let’s move further and follow step-by-step the approach we have been following for years and really works.

Step 1. Define your information

First you need to be clear in your mind what kind of information you want to remember and to start with. I would recommend a small list of ten words until you get familiar with the process and how you want to remember them, meaning in which order. So, you can start building your mind map step-by-step.

Step 2. The choice of the place

The choice of the place is particularly important, and you must be careful. You need to close your eyes and remember every little detail it has. Its colors, every piece of furniture, the different objects, everything! Within this space, you begin placing the information so that it corresponds to each room or to an object within the room. It is important not to select the same object more than once for different information.

Step 3. Defining the route

Defining the route, you will follow inside your space is very important. The route can be done physically or mentally. So, as you follow the route, always start from left to right (clockwise) and number the points you have chosen and place your information. It is important to follow the order, e.g., 1-10. It will help you a lot.

Step 4. Repeat step 3!

Repeat the route you defined with the points and information as many times as necessary until you are confident you remember it. Thus, as many times as you need to recall the specific information, you will repeat the same route, which will become easier each and every time.

Step 5. Let’s have some fun

What will help to make the technique even more effective, is to put your imagination to work by adding fiction elements to each piece of information you want to remember or to each object related to that particular piece of information. 

The more strange, scary, unique are the elements you add, the easier they will be for you to remember them. And basically, for me personally, the best option is to imagine that the information or object is alive! Use superheroes, athletes, video games, weird objects. In general, create strange and impressive links in your mind.

Step 6. Use it or lose it!

Start to use your memory palace as fast as possible with important information that will improve your daily life or play an important role for you. Let’s say you are giving your first exam in Greek language, and you have to succeed, or you have to give a very important speech on your business promotion.

Step 7. Build memory palaces and use them again and again

The creation of many but simple memory palaces, especially when you are first introduced to this technique is crucial. However, the repetition is the only thing that will make you improve and enhance your memory skills. Take a notepad and start crating your first memory palace!

Related reading: Modern Greek Courses -The Ultimate 7-Step Studying Guide

Is memory palace technique really works?

The effectiveness of the memory palace is therefore based on the fact that the brain and memory perceive the space as some form of image and thus in order to connect elements and information that are not similar to each other they create visuals, images.

In recent decades, the scientific community has increasingly been concerned with the function of the brain in relation to memory. There have even been related studies using the Memory Palace as a memorization technique. 

One of these studies was done on a group of people who have the ability to memorize a large amount of information by taking part in special competitions. The results of the research stated that the people in the group did not show any advantages of memorization due to a high IQ number, but due to the fact that they used various memorization techniques. Memory palace is one of them in order to train their brains.

As a result, no difference was observed in the physiology of the brains between ordinary people and skilled memorizers, but their difference was in the memorization techniques they chose and practised. 

Conclusion

So, there you have a complete 7-step guide for starting to build, use and practice the Memory Palace learning technique which will make a substantial difference in your memory whether you want to learn a new language, or you want to remember a simple to-do list. Start to visualizing things and have fun!

I hope this will help you and I encourage you to give it a try and create many Memory Palaces. It is good and vital for your brain function in general!

 

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