MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN about having a terrible memory. Shopping lists, friends’ birthdays, statistics for an exam—they just don’t seem to stick in their brains. But memory isn’t as set in stone as you might imagine. With the right technique, you may be able to improve it..

1. Start With Strong Images

Images that are weird, gross or emotional are sticky.“When analysing the brain, researchers found that amygdala—part of the brain that processes emotion—makes other parts work efficiently.”

2. Pay Attention

It's a simple mantra, focusing on one particular thing makes it reinforce repeatedly in our brains.

3. Put Those Images in a Location

This technique of association with places is called the memory palace, and it’s particularly useful for remembering the order of certain elements.

4. Break Things Up.

Instead of memorising it all at once, separating things into sections works too as picturisation of smaller sections is easier for the long-term memory.

5. Finish Up by Reviewing

Sadly there is no easy hack for that. Whatever tricks we apply, hard work is required.