A Scottish memory expert claims a straightforward technique can help people remember "almost anything", from shopping lists to exam facts. Eamonn Byrne, Director of Scotland Tutors, says merely reading something repeatedly isn't the solution; instead, he advises making the information "ridiculous".
The 'stranger the better' method
Byrne, who has been delivering private tuition to boost pupils' academic performance since 2002, explained: "If you want to remember something, repeating something in your head doesn't give your brain anything to hold on to. Create a vivid picture instead – the stranger the better. Give your brain a point to connect to."
One way to do this is to create a vivid mental picture around the information. For instance, if you need to recall a list of four items, he suggests transforming them into a striking scene rather than simply attempting to memorise four individual words.
Practical examples for daily life
He said: "The stranger the image the better. If you are trying to remember four items, imagine them interacting in a completely ridiculous scene."
"Your brain is more likely to remember something unusual than a bland list of facts. If you're trying to remember apples, keys, a birthday card and washing powder, for example, don't simply repeat the list. Picture a giant apple driving your car, keys swinging from the mirror, and a birthday card on the passenger seat covered in washing powder. It sounds daft, and that's exactly why it works."
Byrne says this method proves particularly valuable for schoolchildren attempting to retain facts ahead of examinations, but adults can equally apply it to day-to-day situations.
Beyond revision
He added: "This isn't just a revision technique. You can use the principle when you are trying to remember a shopping list, a name, tasks you need to do or new information you have just been told. The trick is to create a connection, rather than simply trying to hold the information in your mind. I do it myself."
"To remember to unplug the iron, I grab the plug and sing a line or two of Elvis. It's silly, but now a habit and I never forget."
