Memorizing dates is very useful for history lessons, for remembering birthdays, for having fun and for many other reasons; however, many people find it difficult to memorize series of numbers or groups of dates. By creating strong and intense associations with dates, however, you are more likely to remember them; if you keep repeating and practicing what you learn, you are able to set the dates in your mind.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Creating Associations
Step 1. View vivid images
If you are able to create very intense images to associate with dates, you have less difficulty in memorizing them; the more ridiculous, weird or extravagant the image, the better!
- For example, if you are trying to memorize George Washington's year of birth, 1732, you can imagine a little boy wearing a wig like the president's, cutting down a cherry tree and repeating the phrase "I can't say one. lie".
- Similarly, you can think of a person dressed like George Washington throwing 1732 dollar bills into the air (this note has the portrait of Washington on the front).
Step 2. Take advantage of your body
You can create strong associations by actively using your body when trying to memorize information. Walking while you study, performing hand movements while learning certain dates or even singing them improves memory. Here are some suggestions:
- Theatrically raise an arm, like a Roman orator, when you try to remember the year 44 BC, when the emperor Julius Caesar was assassinated.
- Memorize dates by singing them to the melody of your favorite song.
Step 3. Organize the information
If you can group the dates you need to learn in a way that makes sense, you are more likely to remember them. The reason is that it is very difficult to memorize fragments of information that are not related to each other. As you spend some time each day studying this information, look for a way to classify and organize it; eg:
- If you are trying to internalize a series of historical dates, create a timeline; by doing so, you can find some relationship between the various information and visualize the logical connections. The more you are able to contextualize the dates, the more they will have meaning; as a result, they will be easier to remember.
- If you're trying to learn family members' birthdays, draw a family tree to visualize each relative. As you study each day, you can visualize "climbing" the tree and reaching various dates.
Step 4. Assign a letter to each number that makes up the date
You can improve your memory by creating associations, for example between letters and numbers. You could remember the year "1066" (of the Battle of Hastings), "1215" (when the Magna Carta was written) or "1776" (the year of the Declaration of Independence) by associating alphabetic series such as "TZGG", "TNTL" and "TKKG" according to this scheme:
- 0 = Z, because the word "zero" starts with "z";
- 1 = T, because the number "1" and the capital letter "T" are written with a single down stroke;
- 2 = N, because by rotating the letter clockwise by 90 ° you get a figure that resembles the number "2";
- 3 = M, because by rotating the letter clockwise by 90 ° you get a figure that resembles the number "3";
- 4 = R, because the number "4" resembles a mirror letter "R";
- 5 = L, since the letter "L" in Roman numerals corresponds to "50";
- 6 = G, as the number and the letter have a similar spelling;
- 7 = K, because if you rotate the letter clockwise it looks like a "7" in the mirror;
- 8 = B, because they are very similar to each other;
- 9 = P, because the letter "P" resembles the mirror image of "9".
Step 5. Create detailed associations
If you develop correlations that are richer in detail and with many figurative elements, you are able to remember dates better. A good technique is to use the series of letters described above to come up with fun, easy-to-remember sentences. Here are some examples:
- You are trying to remember "1861", the year of the unification of Italy.
- You can form the series of letters "TBGT" using the associations described above.
- At this point, you can invent the phrase "Tante Battaglie Garibaldi Tentò", where each initial letter corresponds to the "TBGT" series.
- This phrase helps you remember the date because it uses the letters associated with "1861" and Garibaldi's battles were decisive in bringing about the unity of the nation.
Part 2 of 2: Exercising Your Memory
Step 1. Focus on the dates you need to learn
Usually 50% of the information of what you study is lost immediately, so it is very important to focus. You can start by simply reminding yourself that you need or want to memorize the dates. By focusing in this way, you can internalize between 20% and 60% more of the notions. There are many practical ways to focus while studying, for example:
- Reducing distractions; try to study in a quiet and stress-free environment;
- Intentionally focusing your eyes on the dates you want to memorize; try to "retrace" the lines of numbers with your eyes;
- When you come across a date that you need to memorize, take a moment to write it down with awareness thinking "I have to remember it" as you do it;
- Visualize yourself writing the number every time you think about it; for example, imagine yourself writing the date on a chalkboard.
Step 2. Repeat dates often
The more you repeat the information you need to learn, the more likely you are to remember it. Since humans lose most of the notions within 24 hours, it is important not only to repeat them as soon as they are learned, but also frequently. If you keep practicing and reviewing dates every day, you increase your memory skills; if you practice this for 30 days, you will likely be able to remember dates for years to come.
If you need to learn a series of dates for an exam or other occasion, review them as often as you can, taking at least a few minutes to study each day
Step 3. Use flashcards
It is a study method that helps to memorize information; when used correctly, it is of great help.
- Using a deck of cards (or similar computer program), write the dates you need to remember on one side and the corresponding event on the other side.
- Test yourself by shuffling the cards, reading the date and trying to remember its meaning. You can also do it in reverse, reading the event and trying to remember the date.
- At each session, remove the cards that correspond to the dates you remember well and continue practicing with the most difficult ones until you have memorized them all.
- Practice using flashcards often, but only for a few minutes at a time. If you try to memorize too many notions at once, you won't be able to internalize them.
Step 4. Use dates
When you have to learn them, the more you use them, the more likely you are to remember them. Discuss study topics with family and friends, reflect on them between you and yourself and write down dates whenever you can; in this way, you will be able to remember them all!
