Do you usually learn, or memorize things?

when i go to school i learn mostly from paying attention i normally dont have to try and memorize things unless i cant understand them right away.

There were certain things I learned, like reading comprehension and how subjects apply to certain situations, but there were always things I memorized, like dates and vocabulary words.

When I was studying for my anatomy/physiology exam at nursing school I had to memorize some of the things and understand some of the things. The Latin names I simply had to memorize, but it wasn't possible to answer the questions on the physiology exam, if I didn't understand the things that I read. I am not very good at memorizing, but I practiced with my friends from the class, and that was a big help. When I am studying for other subjects I usually try to understand the things I read instead of memorizing them.

When I went to nursing school, there was a vast amount of information to learn in a very short period of time. I found that I would learn the information for the tests and many times I didn't really understand the concept until I applied it in a clinical situation. If you can find a way to relate to the information in a way that applies to you, specifically, then you might be able to better retain the information. Hope this helps!

I used to always just try to memorize things which worked. For a short time. After that I forgot after about a week. lol Now I know it's better to try to really understand as it's more likely to really remember things that way.

Admittedly when I was in school some of my classes were committed to memory. To pass a test didn't usually require much more than simple regurgitation of the facts. What I always found was I didn't necessarily learn anything unless I could find an interest in it. A subject that I could dress down and put back together again. If you can relate to a subject you can learn it relatively easy. Does that mean that you know everything about it? Of course not. I was always interested in Biology and Anatomy & Physiology. I have a profound knowledge of the human body. It doesn't make me a doctor. I think having a firm grasp of the fundamentals gives you a much better perspective than reciting definitions out of the glossary. You'll also start to see some patterns that relate between subjects (i.e. if you play an instrument you may be able to relate that to mathematics). As far as memory exercises go I don't know much. Some people use rhyming techniques, some do things by song, I used to recite definitions and terminology into a tape recorder, and play it while I fell asleep. I would imagine playing an instrument does help. It probably gets you into a zone that provides a good learning environment for you. I guess in the end the only right answer is what ever works.

I think I did both but I think I did more memorizing that learning because at the time I found things very difficult to understand and there was so much information coming in .Later on I would begin to understand much of what I learned like when I go to do a Levels but during my earlier years I would swat (commit to memory ) many things and then regurgitate it on the tsets almost word for word

Most of the time I just do memorizing because it was the easiest way. My older sister and brother told me to understand the lesson and surely you will learn because if you fully understand it you dont have to study.

I am afraid I'm the type of person who can't get along too well with memorization. Whenever I prepare for tests, I make it a point that I learn it, because if I just memorize it and then I suddenly block out during the test, then it's not helpful. There's really a need to learn it because what's more important is that we understand the concept, not simply memorizing. I learned in our Educational Psychology class that memorization is also called route learning. It could be tolerable but the fact that you don't really learn anything makes it useless. I suggest that you do some mnemonics wherein you assign some acronyms for words to help you remember them. Like you said, music could also be helpful. What's important is that you modify the best learning strategy that is suitable for you to train your memory. You must also have good study habits, like for example, you alot a specific time to study, and also the place where you are comfortable to learn. Have a good eating diet as well. Well, take care and good luck to you! :)

Hi there, I found this article point out straight at my weakness and so I decided to answer this and ask suggestions. I have a very bad memory but I forget everything which has no logic or that has no specialty about it. But if a thing has a logic, however subtle it may be, I am able to remember it. This is getting me into many problems as I even to draw some logic and conclusion even to remember even small things such places where I kept things and things said by others. Now, what I wanted to ask is does anyone have any suggestion to improve my memory to remember things that have no logic?

I used to memorize every thing and that too in few minutes till my college days and then i have started to learn every thing which worked for me and i have got good grades in my college level.but i really enjoyed both but i prefer learning rather than memorizing the huge answers especially in sciences and computers though.gud day.

I have a horrible memory, so I always need some mnemotecnic rules in order to remember the stuff I study. That's a way to memorize and learn at the same time, as those kind of rules will always make a bulb light into your head when you use them again. Anything is valid, like making up a song or finding something funny related wo the fact you need to remember.

I do both, actually more memorization. I have recently been learning Japanese and that is all memorization. Math is memorization. Isn't memorization the method of learning? I guess if it is philosophy, psychology there is more concept realization then memorization. There are alot of z's in my answer. Obviously I havn't learnt or memorized spelling the english language correctly. lol.

I think it is best to learn, not to memorize. To learn is to be familiar with the concept and understanding very well. To memorize is to recite the concept from memory but oftentimes unable to understand or comprehend the term. By learning, you will not realize that you have already memorized the concept because you understand it perfectly well and can even discuss the concept in your own words.

depending on the subjects, i would memorize certain things like in english or history. i think if you become interested in a subject; you will learn better because it becomes interesting to you. right now i have to write everything down my memory is shot from fibromyalgia fog and age!!!

oh i hate memorizing! that's why i prefer math subjects because you only have to know the procedures in solving the problem hihi. when it comes to subjects that need tremendous memorization, i do some extra effort during exams. although one friend told me that to be able to memorize quickly, make an acronym for the answers. others easily memorize by writing the questions and answering it on your notes. (big notes of course, not the small one that you need to open during exam in case of emergencies)goodluck on your exam tatutino!

I didn't do that well in school and I left feeling unhappy! Still, I have made amends now and I'm involved with study as a mature student! The way I learn something is to constantly go over the material and I keep on doing this until it eventually starts to sink in! I find that by doing this I retain the information and it stays in memory for life then! Our brains are a little bit like the memory in computer systems. We have temporary memory and then we have permanent memory. When we are learning something it's important to get it into the permanent memory and we do this by constantly going over and over and over the material or subject we are trying to learn. I love learning now! I love musical instruments myself and I bought an electronic keyboard sometime back. I think that this helps nurture the memory as well and it gets you using both sides of the brain, the logical as well as the creative side. Life is all about learning I guess! Andrew

Do not bother to remember things, i suggest that you try associative memory method. i personally feel that this method is useful, you can try.

Some things are better to memorize and some things are better to understand. As long as you understand what multiplication is, for example, your best bet is to memorize your multiplication facts and the procedures for more complex problems. Other things are better to understand. Statistics is usually like this. There are many methods that can be used in statistics so you have to pick and choose what you think the best method is to find your answer. This requires you to understand your problem well before you start. Story problems are often like this. If you give young children a story problem, they will usually not read the problem but rather just take the numbers and add them or subtract them at random. It is always important to engage your brain before you rely on your memory. Memory skills can help though. The trick is to keep training your memory. Even when you are on vacation, find quotes that you really like for instance and memorize them word for word. Memorize phone numbers and birthdays. Your memory is not a finite space. It gets built with practice.

learn is better than memorize! I agree with this comment. Try to learn anything and don't try too hard to remember. Just remember for what you think is important. Many organizer can you use for remember something.