A mnemonic device is a memory and learning aid that can be verbal, visual or auditory. They rely on associations between constructs that are easy to remember and can lead an individual to think of the information he needs to remember. A popular example is using the anagram "HOMES" to remember the great lakes -- Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. Also try using visual images to memorize names. If a person's name is Elizabeth, try to remember Queen Elizabeth and visualize her on a throne to help solidify her name in your memory.
Disorganized people have more memory problems than their more organized counterparts. Help yourself memorize things by using a paper or online calendar to remember important meetings or classes so that more brain space can be devoted to memorizing new information you learn at these events. Internal organization is equally important when it comes to memorizing information. Picture a filing cabinet in your brain where you "store" the facts you learn each day -- this will help you recall information more easily.
Using as many senses as possible to help you remember information will make it easier to recall later. Repeat your notes aloud to yourself, after an important lecture, to incorporate sight and sound. Feel the pieces of a model you are studying, if appropriate and safe, to incorporate touch. Drawing images or charts activates your motor skills, which will also help you memorize the information more quickly.
Trying to memorize information and improve your memory is useless if other bad health habits are getting in the way. Regular exercise will increase oxygen flow to your brain and increase the flow of blood to the hippocampus, a part of the brain that aids in memory retention. Exercise also enhances energy production and bodily waste removal so your capacity to remember information will increase as your strength is increased. Getting a full night's sleep is also necessary for memorizing information since knowledge you learn throughout the day is stored in your memory during sleep.