Each person develops their own way of studying. Some are able to just review the information, some re-write the information, and some create mnemonics. Mnemonics are devices to help us remember (aide memoire or memory aide). They come in many varieties and flavors, and can aid memorization of many types of information. Mnemonics may be related to words and numbers or sayings which you put together to remember the information. They generally consist of a word, each of whose letters help the user to remember the first letters of items in a list. There are also other types of mnemonics, such as visual mnemonics. Mnemonics rely on anchoring associations upon that which is familiar or distinct, and relating it to that which is novel or unfamiliar. Depending on the nature of the information, the relationship implied by the link may seem natural, or otherwise quite arbitrary. Look up mnemonic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. … Pneuma is Greek for air, wind, spirit, and breath, which metaphorically describes a non-material influence or being.  Any method that works for them and is effective would be okay.

An example of a mnemonic would be for the carpal bones in the hand. The carpel bones are the bones that make up the hand. They are in order, the Schapoid or Navicular, Lunate, Trisiform, Pisiform, and in the next row, the Greater Trapiezium or Multitangular, Trapazoid or Lesser Multitangular, Capitate and Hamate.  The mnemonic that we teach with that is:

• “Scared Lovers Try Positions That They Cannot Handle”
• “Students Like The Professor To Teach Complex Hypotheses”
• “She Likes To take Prostitutes To The Calley Hotel” (to take representing the 2 T’s of Triquetrum)

Developing good study habits may be difficult, but it is the basis for everything we do in life. Learning how to study and organizing our classes is as important as everything else we do in school. In fact, it is probably the most important skill we will learn. Figuring out a way to study that works for you is the best lesson you can give yourself.

Good luck and study well!

Contribution by:

Howard Chusid, Ed.D. has a doctorate in Counseling Psychology, is an experienced Career/Mental Health Counselor and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator and Arbitrator. He has the training and experience to give Career Assessments such as the Strong, MBTI, SDS and others. He is also a Board Certified Professional Counselor ,Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor,  Master Professional Career Counselor and a member of the National Career Development Association, American Counseling Association, American Psychotherapy Association and the American Psychological Association.