Only a few individuals have shown extraordinary talent in memory since birth. For example, the Russian Sorsovsky in the 20th century demonstrated remarkable memory capabilities. He could effortlessly memorize 12-13 or even more meaningless words, numbers, or complex mathematical formulas. His memory was so sharp that he could recall information in the exact order many years later. In the 18th century, the classical music composer Mozart amazed people by performing pieces perfectly after just hearing or seeing them once at the age of five.
Our national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam skillfully integrated Muslim traditions and Hindu mythology, as well as various languages, into his poetry and songs. This was only possible due to his extraordinary memory. The ability to retain information is a matter of inherent talent. However, with practice, memory can be improved. The magician Jewel Aich can recall the names of hundreds of audience members after hearing them just once. It’s not magic; he has mastered the technique of remembering names.
Einstein, the greatest scientist of the 20th century, was born in Germany. His father was an engineer, and his mother was a singer. Due to his mother’s influence, he had to learn the violin at the age of six. However, due to his poor memory, he couldn't start formal schooling until he was nine years old. He enrolled in school later than usual, initially failing his entrance exam before passing it on the second attempt. He also couldn't pass the entrance exam for college the first time. After receiving his degree, he refused to study engineering due to his lack of memory.
Later, Einstein tried to secure a job at a school but failed because he couldn't remember the answers during the interview. This troubled him deeply, and he felt an internal urge for change. Through just two years of effort, he made remarkable improvements in his memory. The rest is history; twenty years later, he won the Nobel Prize. When asked if memory could be improved, he replied that comparing his childhood with the present would answer the question.
The famous Italian painter Michelangelo, despite having weak memory in childhood, significantly enhanced his memory in later life. His memory remained sharp even in old age.
The renowned sculptor Augusto Rodin had a father who sadly remarked that he had only an idiot for a son. Rodin’s memory was so poor that his teachers called him "forgetful fool." However, through his own efforts, he improved his memory to the point where he could accurately recount many past events. The Greek poet Homer also had a very weak memory as a child. After a stroke of bad luck, he became a wanderer and later blind. After becoming blind, he recited the story of the Trojan War to audiences while sitting in a leather shop, having retained the entire story in his memory. This memory allowed him to write the two epics, "Iliad" and "Odyssey." Although blind, he was a first-rate poet. The English writer Dr. Samuel Johnson, the first author of an English dictionary, also had a very weak memory in childhood. He wrote his greatest work, "Lives of the Poets," at the age of 75, demonstrating that he could not only improve his memory but also retain it until he was 78.
To improve memory, one must first establish confidence in oneself and trust in one’s abilities. Understanding one’s own mental and physical processes will significantly enhance this confidence and self-esteem. Consider your body: it consists of over 500 muscles, more than 200 bones, and 50 trillion cells, all connected by a 60-mile network of veins and arteries delivering nutrients. Each heart pumps more than 1,600 gallons of blood daily without protest or fatigue. Believing oneself to be deficient is one of the greatest mistakes, as each brain is at least 1 million times more powerful than any computer. The creativity behind civilization stems from the brain's capabilities.
The brain’s main component is the cortex, made up of approximately 1.4 billion neurons. Life as we know it would not be possible without the cortex. Various centers within the cortex control bodily functions, and groups of neurons form a neural center. To date, 250 such centers have been discovered. When someone tries to master a subject, 38 types of electrical lines are created in the cortex, leading to vibrations. Repeatedly reciting a subject reinforces these lines, allowing the cortex to internalize it. However, these lines do not become permanent. When one begins to learn a new topic, previous lines break, making way for new ones. This process allows neurons to work continuously. It can be said that the special lines formed in the cortex constitute memory.
The brain’s function is to accept one thing after another. Therefore, after finishing a topic, it’s wise to sit quietly for a moment and mentally reflect on what has been read. If information is organized in a particular order, it becomes easier to remember. The inability to remember is often due to not organizing events correctly. Retaining information means embedding it in the mind; if information is stored haphazardly, it will eventually be forgotten. However, when information is organized, it gets retained more effectively.
The more beautifully you organize your information, the longer it will remain in your memory. This is a rule. Organizing all events in the same manner won't work. Just as one can remember historical events by organizing them with dates, the same principle applies to remembering images or other types of information. Additionally, the relationships among the information being organized must be clear. If someone develops a habit of memorizing poetry, that skill will improve, but it won't necessarily enhance the ability to remember images or historical events.
There is a wonderful analogy between reading and food intake. Both require digestion. Both require hunger. Overindulgence can lead to indigestion. While it’s possible to force excess food into oneself, trying to cram too much information into the mind doesn’t yield beneficial results.
Curiosity and interest are the hunger of the mind. This hunger can be heightened if information or news is presented in the form of questions. One must have questions in mind—hunger must exist. If there are no questions or lack of interest, nothing can be retained. With a little effort, what piques one’s curiosity will naturally stick in the mind. Efforts to remember are unnecessary for things that interest us. If something doesn't stick, it indicates a lack of interest. There’s no match for curiosity and interest when it comes to improving memory. If one can cultivate curiosity and interest in their work, success will merely be a matter of time, and they will easily achieve good grades in exams.
In this regard, the following rules should be observed:
To be a good student, it is essential to understand the material while memorizing. Memorizing without comprehension risks forgetting. If one cannot grasp the material, all the effort put into memorizing will be in vain. The main purpose of studying is to learn; if understanding fails, the goal of education is hindered.
To retain information over a long period, one should not only read with comprehension but also develop a habit of regular writing. According to talented students, writing once is more effective than reading ten times. Regular writing helps improve memory and provides a clear understanding of the material.
Until sleep overtakes you at night, try to recall the day’s readings while lying down. Upon waking up, review what you remembered and see how much was retained. If forgotten parts are revisited in the morning, the entire material will easily come back into focus.
While studying, take breaks periodically to reflect on what has been read. This will help deepen understanding and ensure that the material is not easily forgotten, allowing it to remain in memory for a long time.
Writer: Mohammad Golam Rahman
University of Rajshahi
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