Effective learning

Short-term memory

The human mind still hides many secrets from us. However, scientists present many researches, which can be used to our advantage. One of the finding upon which most scientific society agree is the theory of memory storage. It assumes that, in fact we have three memory storages, their division occurs due to storage time. According to this division we have ultra-short-term memory, short-term memory and long-term memory. Let's look at the second one. It includes a small amount of information for a short period of time (estimated time, without internal repetitions, a few to several seconds).

Short-term memory is used for memorizing the sensory data temporarily or information derived from long-term memory. Furthermore, we use it also to the results of data processing such as making conclusions and results of calculations. Although the vast majority of scientists agree with this division of memory, "moving" memories from one memory to another, and the distinction, which memories are still in short-term memory, and which have already been transferred still remains questionable . The issue related to the short-term memory is "magic seven". It means that on average, at one point, we are able to remember only seven numbers, seven objects, etc. Those who exceed this level usually do this by dividing the numbers or objects to "packages" (that is why in this way, divided into "packages" with a few numbers, telephone numbers are passed on). The human mind has also a tendency remembering better  the beginning and he ending of the information. Imagine a situation in which we encounter with a strange name for the first time, foreign-sounding name (eg Fibbonacci) if we want to remember it, it is very likely that we ask for repetition, but only a part of the name (that is why we often say: "Fibbo-what?"or " what-Nacci?").

Short-term memory training is of course possible, there are various techniques to do that, due to space limitation we present only one exercise. Put in front of yourself dozens of coins in two different denominations, and try to count, by taking them one by one from the table, how many pieces there are on the table (in terms of the number of coins, not the value). Probably first we take one denomination, and then another, but the issue is to remember both. Select at random and try to keep in mind how many coins from the first and the second denomination have already been taken from the table. As you progress add the third and fourth denomination, training in this way, multi-tasking and divisibility of our short-term memory.