Visual memory is a great ally when we have to study because it is very effective for retention and allows for a more entertaining study. Among the study techniques, there are specific strategies that can help us enhance this ability. One of the most effective is the association of knowledge with images or drawings.
When to use a study technique based on visual memory?
Not all subjects or all people respond in the same way to all the study techniques we talk about at
eTitle, and that is why it is important to make variations until we find the ones that best suit our abilities. It is clear that we will not be able to draw in all subjects, so in those that do not allow it, we should use different study techniques such as
comprehensive reading,
self-tests,
mnemonic rules, etc. If we have a good visual memory, the possibility of using drawings to study can be particularly useful in subjects such as History, Geography, Art, Literature or Science, among others. Studying with drawings not only offers us an effective way to learn, but also a more enjoyable and pleasant study experience. It is important to keep in mind that it is about learning by associating knowledge with images. And, as we said, images are the language of the brain, so with graphic representations, we will be able to retain concepts much faster than normal.
How to apply the rapid drawing study technique
Image is the language of the brain, that is why when we remember something or when we imagine it, we do not see words, but images. The essence of this technique lies in communicating with our brain in its own language and it is not necessary for us to be accomplished (or amateur) artists; the key is to create schematic and quick drawings that act as visual representations of the concepts we need to learn. We can create the storyboard of a particular topic, using small vignettes to tell events or a more extensive drawing to represent a place or situation that we need to memorize as a single "portrait" of everything we need to learn. The important thing is that after using this study technique that activates our visual memory, we are able to retrieve everything we needed to learn at a glance.
Let's see some examples: Geography, Geology...: To learn, for example, about the formation of mountain ranges, we can create a comic strip that illustrates the different orogeny step by step. If we need to memorize a map, we can make a single drawing that contains all the key elements.
History, Anthropology, Archaeology, etc.: Ideal subjects for creating a storyboard or comic strip that tells the most important events we need to learn.
Biology, Anatomy, Medicine...: Drawings about parts of the cell, parts of plants, animal families, the human body, etc.
Practical tips for creating drawings that enhance our visual memory
Simplicity and Speed: We should not worry about artistic perfection. It is not about creating something artistic, but about telling our brain information that we want it to retain. Simplicity and speed are essential to not waste time.
Selecting the topic appropriately: We should not make drawings of the entire syllabus, but only of those parts where a visual scene will help us synthesize and retain the information.
Use of color: Using different colors and associating some of them with certain topics is very good because it helps enrich the drawings and facilitates memorization.
Considerations about Time
In this drawing technique, each person needs time. What is clear is that it is not one of those typical study techniques that are useful for the day before the exam. This technique requires time to be effective, but if we plan properly, we will discover that learning becomes more entertaining and effective than simply reading and repeating. It is true that we will memorize much faster thanks to visual memory and
visual thinking, but it takes longer to draw than to make an outline. Therefore, we must pay attention to the time we have available. It is advisable not to use drawings when we are preparing for an exam, but to make them when we transfer our notes to clean copies throughout the course and then, when it is time for exams, use the drawings already made to better memorize thanks to our visual memory.
