How to Memorize Definitions for a Test
If you’re wondering how to memorize definitions for a test, you’re actually asking a larger question — how do we learn anything? Scientists tell us that we learn through many different methods. Studying and learning definitions for a test is the same way. There’s no one wrong or right way to learn anything — in fact, there are many different right ways to do it, and using some combination of the following tactics will guarantee you ace your test.
- Reading and Writing — When I was working with the Southwest Shakespeare Festival, I saw actors learn lines for three different Shakespeare plays in a manner of days. How’d they do it? They would read their line, write it down, read it again, write it down again, and continue this process until the words were memorized. Something about the act of writing something down cements it in your brain. Probably, your brain finds it easier to recall information that you have physically put down on paper. The very act of writing things down burns them into your brain. This method, used by actors for centuries, is the best starting place for memorizing anything.
- Flash Cards — Similar to the “reading and writing” method, using Flash Cards will “burn” the correct answer into your brain. Gather regular sized index cards and write the word you need to define on one side of the card. On the other side of the card, write the complete definition. Now, not only have you written the information down and used the physical memory to help you remember the definition, but you can have a friend hold the card up and “quiz you” about the definition. You don’t even need a friend, because the definition is hidden on the back side of the card. You can put the cards in front of you and quiz yourself.
- Friend Quiz — So we already mentioned the flash card quiz, but there are other “quiz methods” (especially involving friends) that will help you on your quest to memorize definitions for a test. Write a list (or make the index cards mentioned above) of the words you need to know, and have you friend quiz you randomly during the day. This will ensure that you KNOW the definition, not just that you can put the word into context when you’re in “study mode”. You could also have your friend help you come up with new ways to memorize definitions. Friends are there to help, and using others to help you learn is a great way to socialize while you increase your brain power.
- Word Association — If you simply can’t get the definition of a word lodged into your brain, try to form “pictures” of what the word means and memorize those pictures. I do this all the time when I can’t think of a word — I’ll close my eyes and try to picture what the word MEANS and usually the word will pop up. If you’re supposed to memorize the definition of a word like “exculpate”, you might think of the sounds of the word. The “ex” at the beginning is really useful, as we all know words like “ex-girlfriend” or “expire”. “Exculpate” means to clear someone of guilt, so if you can remember that “ex” is something you’ve gotten rid of, you may be able to remember that to “exculpate” is to get rid of the idea that someone is guilty of something. Word association may be your last shot at memorizing a difficult word definition.
- Mnemonics — A “mnemonic” is a kind of a word game to help you memorize things. If you were trying to memorize the order of the planets in our solar system, you may think of the mnemonic sentence “My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” — the first letter of each word in that sentence corresponds to a different planet — Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturns, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto. Figure out a mnemonic for the word you’re having trouble defining and make your life a little easier.
- Group Study — Just before your word definition test, get a group of people from your class together and study the words as a unit. You’ll learn memorization tactics used by other people, you’ll have a little bit of fun, and you’ll probably get a better score on your test because of it. Group studying can be a last minute way to calm yourself down before a difficult test, and is also a great way to meet friends and potential dates (by the way). Get a group together to study your difficult word definitions and you’ll most likely succeed.
The next time you have a difficult test that requires you to memorize words, don’t panic. Use the techniques described above to get yourself quickly to the head of the class.