Anyone else have a hard time memorizing stuff?

[docbrill]

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[Bacchus]

The MCAT is the exam for you (did I just say that?). There are discrete questions, but your general knowledge will carry you through. Comprehension is key.

 

[psy]

One way to memorize anything is to learn it backwards. If it's a series of random numbers you start by memorizing the last number and move towards the beginning. If it's a bunch of reactions or series of phyla/etc... you start at the end as well. It turns out that this method will result in better retention. The important factor is repetition.

 

[Bacchus]

I'll give you my tip. When I'm studying I will study conceptual material until about 1-2 hours before I go to bed. Then I memorize. REM programs everything into memory. You'll be surprised when you wake up and know all the intermediates of the CAC 😉.

 

[docbrill]

I'll give you my tip. When I'm studying I will study conceptual material until about 1-2 hours before I go to bed. Then I memorize. REM programs everything into memory. You'll be surprised when you wake up and know all the intermediates of the CAC 😉.

Really? There is one problem though, I NEVER study past 4, 5 pm because my brain does not seem to work well at night. I can read books, magazines, etc, but when it comes to studying, I can't really learn anything. I think that's another memory problem?! For instance, I once took an iq test in the morning and then in the evening, and scored 9 pts lower on the latter😳!!! Isn't that weird. But seriously, if you have any tips on how to "make" my brain concentrate at night I would love to try your memorizing technique. I need to figure this out before I start med scool anyway, or else...

 

[copperfrog09]

You sound just like me. I can't memorize anything to save my life, am very conceptual so I had a great time with orgo and a terrible time with bio.(And can't study at night!) For the MCAT I started out getting 8,9, 10 on bio section on practice tests, and started attacking memorizing bio through learning the concepts, visualizing the systems, drawing them out, trying to figure out where everything ended up in the "bigger picture." For things I HAVE to memorize, I cuse acronyms oer little word tricks to help me remember. I ended up getting a 13 on the bio section by understanding concepts rather than memorizing. You'll be fine!

 

[MilkmanAl]

I'll give you my tip. When I'm studying I will study conceptual material until about 1-2 hours before I go to bed. Then I memorize. REM programs everything into memory. You'll be surprised when you wake up and know all the intermediates of the CAC 😉.

Let's see...citrate, isocitrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, succinyl CoA, succinate, fumarate, malate... edit: Argh! Forgot oxaloacetate.

I agree that you'll probably do well on the MCAT. Memorization isn't the way to approach it.

 

[Bacchus]

Let's see...citrate, isocitrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, succinyl CoA, succinate, fumarate, malate... edit: Argh! Forgot oxaloacetate.

I agree that you'll probably do well on the MCAT. Memorization isn't the way to approach it.

You forgot OAA?!?!?! Thus you just disregarded gluconeogenesis... Thanks, now I am going to die.


BTW, I would not have remembered them all, but did at the time of the test 😉. You also probably have biochem in school right now, MMA.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Nope, I actually did that about a month and a half ago. I had to memorize it for 3 classes in college, though. 😛

 

[docbrill]

You sound just like me. I can't memorize anything to save my life, am very conceptual so I had a great time with orgo and a terrible time with bio.(And can't study at night!) For the MCAT I started out getting 8,9, 10 on bio section on practice tests, and started attacking memorizing bio through learning the concepts, visualizing the systems, drawing them out, trying to figure out where everything ended up in the "bigger picture." For things I HAVE to memorize, I cuse acronyms oer little word tricks to help me remember. I ended up getting a 13 on the bio section by understanding concepts rather than memorizing. You'll be fine!

Thanks, it's comforting to know that there is someone out there just like me🙂 I did a bio section from AAMC 3 about year and a half ago (prior to taking bio 2, and in the middle of bio 1), and got a 7. So, hopefully after a review of the material, I will be able to score as good as you!