I read a lot both at home and school. Unfortunately, I always forget what I’ve read within a few hours and this really kills my morale. How can I improve my memory and performance in class?

Muneza

There are numerous ways of improving your memory. The following tips could help you improve your retention capacity.

Exercise your brain regularly by practicing brain games like crossword puzzles. This could spur the development of new nerve connections that can help improve memory. By developing new mental skills like learning a new language or learning to play a new musical instrument, you’re keeping your brain active and improving its physiological functioning.

Social interactions too help to relieve you of depression and stress, both of which can contribute to memory loss. Look for opportunities to get together with loved ones and friends at school to slow your overall rate of memory decline. 

Also eat nutritious foods to boost your brain and sleep well. Sleep helps to consolidate memories and involve multiple senses by stimulating more parts of your brain. The more senses you engage in your daily activities, the more the brain will be triggered to perform diligently.

Get organized  so you can keep abreast of the current schedules to keep track of your activity- lists and often verify items that you’ve completed or not. Limit distractions and avoid doing many things at once.  Focus on the information that you’re trying to remember and apply rational connections with the brain which will help to retrieve the lost information. Don’t cram for an exam as this only puts information in your short-term memory.  Spacing out your studying is vital because it gives your brain time to encode the information and store it in your long-term memory.                                                    

The writer is a teacher and counsellor

YOUR COUNSEL

Alphonse Nsabimana

It appears you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself. This is common with students who read many things such as reading a whole topic in one night. I think the best thing to do is to reduce on what you read. You would rather read a page at a time but grasp it.

Dornut Munyaneza             

Don’t be discouraged, a focused student doesn’t give up. on his academics. All you need to do is find out the root cause of your problem. For instance do you have some family issues affecting you?

Goreth Uwizeyimana

Reading a lot is not bad. But if you are not understanding what you read, you need to change your approach. Making a timetable and sticking to it can be very helpful. You should also consult your teachers for advice.

Orgene Nguyabarusha    

Teachers are in the best position to help you since they have experience in dealing with cases such as yours on a daily basis. Approach a teacher you are free with and explain to him your problem. They will find a solution for you.