7 Science-Backed Ways to Improve Your Memory 

Being cursed with a bad memory can yield snafus big and small, from forgetting your gym locker combination to routinely blowing deadlines. If your New Year's resolution was to be less forgetful in 2018, it's time to start training your brain. The infographic below, created by financial website Quid Corner and spotted by Lifehacker Australia, lists seven easy ways to boost memory retention.

Different techniques can be applied to different scenarios, whether you're preparing for a speech or simply trying to recall someone's phone number. For example, if you're trying to learn a language, try writing down words and phrases, as this activates your brain into paying more attention. "Chunking," or separating long digit strings into shorter units, is a helpful hack for memorizing number sequences. And those with a poetic bent can translate information into rhymes, as this helps our brains break down and retain sound structures.

Learn more tips by checking out the infographic below. 

Article Source: http://mentalfloss.com/article/525055/7-science-backed-ways-improve-your-memory
Image Source: http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/width-constrained-728/public/525055-quidcorner.jpg

VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Cursed (adj.) ~ be afflicted with
2. Snafu (n.) ~ a confused or chaotic state a mess
3. Hack (v./ informal) ~ manage cope
4. Compile (v.) ~ produce (something, especially a list, report, or book) by assembling information collected from other sources
5. Vivid (adj.) ~ producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind
6. Retain (v.) ~ continue to have (something) keep possession of
7. Gist (n.) ~ the substance or essence of a speech or text
8. Catchy (adj.) ~ (of a tune or phrase) instantly appealing and memorable.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Are you good at remembering things and memorizing information? Do you have any technique in doing so? What is it?
2. What is 'chunking'? Do you think it is an effective way of memorizing things? Discuss your answer.
3. What are the different techniques mentioned in the article. Which ones have you tried and how effective are they?