College with memory problems
it’s a real bitch, isn’t it? but there are some things I’ve found that make it easier
1. Not everything works for everyone I know that a lot of the time, when people give advice, it’s easy to get frustrated because it’s just...not working. Some of these tips require that you remember to check them, and I know that’s not always feasible
2. Alarms alarms alarms If you have a cell phone, use your alarms as much as you possibly can. Most phones have options so you can set different sounds for different things, and I highly recommend you create a system (which you should write down if you won’t remember). I have alarms for every meal, every class, every club, and one for each week to remind me to call my parents, for meditation, two different ones for work...use whatever app works for you!!!
3. Make a system I know this is vague, and systems are very personal, but try and do things the same way every time, and look after future-you. Do what you can now so that future-you will know what’s going on. For example, there are two places where my keys go. If it’s not in one of those places, it’s probably in the other. If it’s not in either place, I know I lost them again, and I don’t have to spend an hour searching my dorm to determine whether or not they’re lost.
4. Create physical reminders I’m often guilty of ignoring my reminders or dismissing the notification without reading it. Sometimes, I won’t see my physical reminders (like sticky notes) and so I had to change my system. Now I can’t open the carabiner on my keys to put it on my belt (which is part of my system) without looking at every single item of my to-do list
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it’s not pretty, but it definitely works. If you don’t have a carabiner, put them around your shoelaces. I know of someone who put a giant cardboard box in the middle of their floor with their wallet and keys on it because they couldn’t open the door without moving the box. Whatever works for you!!!
5. Do things the second you remember to It’s really hard to remember all of the really little things (taking out the trash, emailing your advisor, going to that movie screening, texting your friend back). So when you remember “Oh, I haven’t texted ___ today” pick up your phone and send a quick text (or you can schedule texts).
If you can’t do the thing you remembered, write it down and put the paper somewhere inconvenient, like on top of your computer keyboard, so that you remember to send that email when you have the chance. I keep a sticky note pad next to me when I’m studying so that I hopefully remember to write all the little things down, and it works alright
6. Memorization This is the bane of all of my classes. Sit down with the information you need to know and see if you can avoid memorizing stuff, and think your way to the information. For example, I don’t need to memorize all of the dates for my history class, just the big ones. I know that our country was founded in 1776, and I can estimate how long beforehand something took place. I don’t remember what happened in Beowulf, but I remember something vague about a weird juxtaposition of religious and pagan themes, so there was probably something to do with the spread of Christianity so I can write about that on my test. Stuff like that
7. Do the reading the night (or the morning) before, and take notes This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s the most useful thing I do. I do all the readings, and I take notes. If you don’t have the spoons for notes, go on shmoop (because it’s more accessible than SparkNotes) and copy that as notes. Don’t even bother getting out the book during class, unless you’re directly referencing page/line numbers because all you need to know is in your notes.
8. If it’s a skill-based class, like math or computer science, see if you can, again, create a routine that you always execute. Start by writing down all the formulas you remember at the top of your paper, and then go from there. If there's a command you don’t remember, or you can’t figure out some syntax, think through each of the multiple choice answers. Go through other questions and look for clues.
9. Be patient with yourself! You’re doing really well with the memory you have! It’s okay to struggle! If you can, get a therapist, because sometimes they have good ideas! If not, include your friends/family/partners/whomever in your routine and let them help you! I wouldn’t remember to eat as often as I do if I didn’t go to lunch and dinner with my friends every day!
Also- if you have a professional diagnosis, don’t be afraid to get/use your accommodations