by Ambica Gulati

Rrrr. Can't save! Panic. The disk has an error, its memory space is skipping.

The computer is down. Similarly small things slip out of our memory bank. Error? Lack of storage space? No. They are kept somewhere in the subconscious mind. Only we have not filed them in a systematic manner, claim the experts. With umpteen books and lots more on the net, solutions for memorizing are aplenty, especially during exams.

Here we take some memory tips from Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury, National Memory Record Holder in the Limca Book of Records. Chowdhury has also written two books on the subject—Dynamic Memory Methods and 7 Days to Power Memory, which includes an audiocassette to guide you. According to Chowdhury there is one way of remembering things—association.

From childhood we have been associating things. For instance a small child sees his father's face to call him papa. The conclusion: we are able to remember pictorial things more than abstract ones.

Let's start with the brain's two parts:

Left Brain Controls

Logical thinking
Calculation
Sequencing

Right Brain Rules

Fantasies
Imagination
Color

When both these work in harmony, a genius is born, states Mahesh Kapadia, another memory expert.

There's a small memory test you can perform to check your capabilities before you embark on a memorizing spree. Close your eyes and imagine yourself in your bedroom. Now starting from the wall on your right, try to visualize everything in the room. You know exactly where each and everything is placed. Isn't it incredible? You are so familiar with things that you can remember them blindfolded.

Chowdhury has developed a basic scheme to memorize things in a proper way:

• Association
• Thoughts
• Confidence
• Pictures
• Concentration
• Oddities
• Color
• Sex
• Exaggeration
• Power of senses

HOW TO DEVELOP THESE QUALITIES

Let's begin with association. Pick any ten words at random. Now you can connect them with a story. And then go back into your memory bank and you'll find them in the order you had kept them.

To learn anything we need to learn a language. Similarly to learn a memory language, you need to learn the memory language alphabets, known as codes. There are 100 basic codes. What exactly is this memory code? These are pictures given to numbers 1 to 100. For instance, 1 is for sun, 2 is shoe.

Then there is the Number Rhyme Method. We can adopt pronunciation-rhyming words. For number two we can take shoe or zoo, to whichever we relate better. To remember better visualize two shirts with the imprint of a shoe.

Then you connect certain numbers with images. For the number one looks like a hockey stick. Then you can connect number with quantity. For instance, number 12 can be associated with dozen. And even connect numbers with important years in your life or history.

If things are still tough, then you can relate numbers to specific alphabets. For instance 61 is A. Immediately you relate A to apple and from there to 61.

Now you are on the road to a better memory. So adopt a technique to systematic learning. Take regular breaks. It's a myth that longer learning sessions enhance memorizing power. Relax after every 50 minutes.

Drink lots of water. Keep a glass of water by your side to keep you alert.

Revise the material after 24 hours and do the second revision after seven days. The third revision could even be after three months.

Try and learn the same thing in the place you first learnt it in. It makes it easier to recall.

Concentrate and learn but don't force yourself.

Since you're fully geared to activate your memory pulse, why don't you start right now.