Memory and Learning

view article
14 High Distinctions For Mature Age Student
In the last MMN I foreshadowed that a full description of M M’s study techniques would be available, whereby as a mature age student M M achieved 14 High Distinctions over 3 years. M M had family challenges including the death of her parents during this time, which makes her achievement even more remarkable. What follows is the emailed sequence of events including a complete description from M M – thank you M M.
view article
About the Secret - Part 2
Thank you so much for the response and feedback that you send me - it is always gratefully received and much appreciated and it also helps me to know if I am "on track" with what you would like to receive. Your thoughts are always welcome. As you know I intended to make this Part 2 of The Secret (TS). I feel that there is still so much to say on this topic. The very word "secret" evokes feelings of ... only for an exclusive few, hidden, mysterious ... but of course none of these descriptions apply to the book (or DVD) of "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne (which I will once again refer to in this E-Report as TS).
view article
About the Secret - Part I
Firstly I would like to thank you for the fantastic response we received to the last E-Report when so many subscribers to this E-Report told us ways in which they have been using their Peaceful Place - a principal ingredient to put The Secret to work for you. A few of them are in Success Stories below.
view article
Improve Memory
Stress, fear or anxiety somehow repress your ability to recall. Learn how to improve your memory by understanding the process that inhibit memory and learn techniques to help improve ability to remember.
view article
Intelligence and Learning
When reviewing the article below "On Line Learning" from "Time" I was reminded of when my son was young and had some gaps in his maths knowledge – due to a truly shocking teacher who had blatantly said she didn’t like boys and spent a lot of time out of the classroom attending to duties as deputy principal
view article
The Influence of The Subconscious Mind In Learning
How do you feel at the moment of learning something new?
view article
The Science Behind Guided Imagery
I have spoken of my friend, Laurence Toltz, in the past. Laurence has been doing even more research in the quest to bring the world an App - and I will tell you more about that in a future Mind Matters News!
view article
What is Guided Imagery?
Guided imagery meditation is a gentle but powerful technique that focuses and directs the imagination in proactive, positive ways.
Are Peaceful Place techniques suitable for children?

Are Peaceful Place techniques suitable for children

What I usually suggest is that the parents learn the techniques so that they can pass it on to their children - they are really easy and useful, however children usually do not have an attention span of 20 minutes and that's why they need to build their PP faster than adults (in say about 7 - 10 minutes.)

Do you cover recall and memory ? and, can these be improved?

Do you cover recall and memory – and, can these be improved

Yes, absolutely – that is covered in my books and seminars and there are some exercises. The books tell you about memory and how it occurs and how you'll be able to put information into the brain whereby you'll be able to recall more easily. Our memory is fantastic – it's recall that we need to  improve and to do this we need to take the correct action to ensure that the information goes to long term memory. The main book is "Students Steps To Success" Chapter 17 - Memory.  In this chapter we summarise 22 ways of improving your memory.

During study how do I get back to or keep focused when my mind wanders?

During study how do I get back to or keep focused  when my mind wanders

Remember that your attention span is seldom more than 20 minutes - often, especially when you are studying something that you don't enjoy it could be far less. So get up from your desk, get a glass of water, maybe do your cross over exercises and then go back to your PP (with your baroque music playing in the background) and then count yourself out to 1, 2, 3 to return to move on with your study. When you are in your PP you could tell yourself that you like the subject and that you are enjoying  finding out something about the subject you're studying. When it happens again then do the same process again - after that study something else. In other words study the subject that you like least in short bursts.

Here is a letter I received and my answer - I hope it sparks an interest.

Here is a letter I received and my answer - I hope it sparks an interest.

I am contacting you with one main goal...to pick your brain about getting 'life strategies/skills' material into schools as is mandatory as English, Mathematics, Geography, Economic, Business classes. 

I am a school teacher & university lecturer in Economics & Business Studies yet find myself more & more integrating 'self-help' strategies everyday...kids seem to come out of the 'wood-works' for this help...yet the school system is anti-help by teachers unless you are a 'counsellor' (which I find sad given the counsellors I have personally worked with use text-book theory & victim enforcing remedies to amend the kids' issues). 

Life skills that teach our kids to recognise, take charge of their own life no-matter what the circumstances, take responsibilities of / own the feelings in their body, validate their feelings then create lasting change that serves.

NOW is the time to put School / Education at the forefront of this learning. I feel there needs to be a group of similiar minded people to make this a reality by 2005.

What will it take to get your help in making this happen in becoming a reality for the kids? 

Answer: I totally agree with your sentiments.

I have been gradually working towards contributing towards a solution for what you speak about. It's based on my seminar: Students' Success Seminar, which is based on my book "Students' Steps to Success". I have had the seminar filmed and am currently editing a 2nd draft of a Video Copy of the seminar. My plan is to have not only the video copy of the seminar, but a DVD copy of the seminar, and together with my book, Students' Steps to Success Audio tapes, Accelerated Learning Music tapes and 3 more audio tapes (or CDs), will be offered as a package for Students. I intend to have a separate website for this material.

As an extension to this I hope to get teachers from schools interested in presenting this material in their personal development programs. To this end I believe that teachers will need to attend a Facilitator's Program and taught how and what to present in the classroom. I am thinking of working towards having the teachers sponsored by Corporate to these Train-the-Trainer Programs. It's been in the melting pot for some considerable time and I have worked with a number of teachers in the past. As you know, I already conduct some seminars in schools and for some students, however most students don't find it "cool" to come to seminars. The answer is to teach them in schools or they can learn the skills at home from the above package.

Here's to the future - United we stand ....

How can I deal with the challenge of dyslexia - do you have any products that might help?

How can I deal with the challenge of dyslexia - do you have any products that might help

The journey of dealing with dyslexia is challenging, and ultimately for those who persist in working with this challenge, the results can be fortuitous - skills developed along the journey can often end up being a great advantage in life, sometimes even careers are developed.  For instance, many artists are dyslexic.  People with dyslexia are more often those with high IQs - we just need to find out what sparks their passion.

It is important to shop around for a supportive school. Some schools and teachers are much better than others. One of my personal preferences in this area is the Steiner school system. Consulting an Educational Kinesiologist can be helpful in the area of dyslexia, especially with exercises to help with "cross-over" from the left to the right side of the brain.

Mind Charting is one of the best skills for dyslexics to learn - by using these they can learn to turn words into picture or symbol memories.  (We know of students who were at the bottom of a class and came up to the top 10% using this technique).  I think the best material I have to help is the "Students Steps to Success" book which works with using both sides of the brain, relaxation, goals, self esteem and mind charting.  Most of my information suits students 13 years old and upwards, however I do encourage parents to teach children who are younger than this.  I have tapes (or CDs) that go with this book and the tape content is suitable when modified - mainly shortened - by parents

How can I help my child to learn better?

How can I help my child to learn better

If you can, then make it as enjoyable as possible for your  child to attend school .  Extra curricular activities that they really enjoy and look forward to are also important.   And it's always good to focus on and praise the things that they are really good at.  The ability to relax and release stress - even for a child - is a very helpful "tool" in study and coping skills.  You can work through the techniques outlined in the books "Piece of Mind" and "Students Steps to Success" with children under 13 years old, and this will be very helpful, especially the "Peaceful Place" technique, Goals and Self Esteem.

How do I easily learn those

How do I easily learn those "boring" subjects

By changing your attitude and making them interesting!! A way to get interested in a boring subject is to figure out why you will need it later in your life. I call this "What's In It For Me" or WIIFMs. By making the connection that you will really need maths as a resort manager so you will be able to calculate the profit because your bonus is a percentage of the profit; this helps to hold your interest now while you're learning it.

Also remember, that you talk to yourself 50,000 times a day – and who listens? YOU DO! If you tell yourself you can, you will. And if you tell yourself you can't – guess what – you won't! Positive self talk is the major key in building up the right attitude.

How do I handle exam stress?

How do I handle exam stress

The main way is to physically see yourself going through this test or exam inside your mind. See how well you are doing it, feel good about it, even look at the mark that you're going to obtain. Just notice all that and then emotionalise it. When you actually do the exam your subconscious mind has done it so often before that it's a habit. What has happened is that you have extended your comfort zone to include the exam. You are really utilising the fact that the subconscious mind does not know the difference between imagination and reality. If you feel uptight before an exam another thing to do is to breathe. Just take a deep breath because when you take a deep breath you're letting oxygen in and you will relax. Also remember throughout the year when you're learning the information, it helps to study in Alpha. You can also do the meditation PP11 - Achieving in Exams and Effective Study.

I am interested in the memory aspect of your program. I have tried a pegging system in the past and found it difficult. Could you explain in detail how the memory procedure works and any other relevent information?

I am interested in the memory aspect of your program. I have tried a pegging system in the past and found it difficult. Could you explain in detail how the memory procedure works and any other relevent information?

There are many things that affect memory and there are many memory methods. On this website you can see what I believe to be the major component of memory, which is the ability to work with the subconscious mind, using a relaxation method. In my book, "Students Steps to Success" I describe in one chapter - devoted to Memory - 22 different ways of improving memory. Within the book, and within my seminars, many of these 22 different ways are actually covered.

Some specific ways to improve memory such as Memory Pegging, The Journey, and more ... are not all taught by me - however I summarise them, and give examples. I am more concerned with teaching people how to use their memory so that they can improve their study skills. One of these major methods is Mind Charting - this I do teach.

What I suggest you do is to examine the Chapter on Memory in my book "Students Steps to Success" - which you may be able to do at a bookshop, Library, or buy it from me (you can order it, at www.calm.com.au - you can also see what tapes & CDs I have at the website), go to the Chapter on Memory.

I also believe in the value of listening to Baroque Music especially selected at 60 beats to the minute - the heart then gets in time with the music and helps to bring about relaxation. I have a selection of this music on my Accelerated Learning Music CD and Tape double.

I can't think of the right symbols to use and I can't really draw.

I can't think of the right symbols to use and I can't really draw.

As far as drawing is concerned - who cares?  Personally I use stick figures.  Provided you thought about it, it is the right symbol. If you have difficulty, try this. Close your eyes, deep breath and relax. Let your mind float back through your past and recall people you love, friends, Christmas, birthdays, parties, holidays, triumphs, pets, sport, good times. Now look at your Mind Chart words. See if you can connect any past experience, thought or emotion to any of the words. Make up a simple symbol to represent this connection and add it to the Mind Chart.

I find background baroque music distracting. What shall I do?

I find background baroque music distracting. What shall I do

You are not supposed to listen to the music whilst it's in the background - your heart "listens" to it.  My initial thought would be to turn down the volume.  If you cannot eventually adjust to this background music, then turn it off – it's not an absolute essential.

I keep forgetting small things like my pen or business cards and I think I'm losing my memory. Can you use Alpha to assist?

I keep forgetting small things like my pen or business cards and I think I'm losing my memory. Can you use Alpha to assist

When do you remember that you have forgotten something? Oh, as soon as you leave your house? Well, then do you say "Oh darn I've forgotten my keys!" (or whatever it might be)? When you're saying "forget" you're reinforcing "forget" in the subconscious mind. I forgot, I forgot, I forgot. Do you know it's not even the truth! The truth is you've just remembered your keys! If you always say, "I just remembered my keys", then what you're reinforcing in the subconscious mind is remember. "I just remembered my keys." So, change your self talk, that is really important. Positive language is very, very important. Remember self talk becomes self esteem and our self esteem becomes our self image and the way we actually act in life.

I put things down and then can't find them. Help please!

I put things down and then can't find them. Help please!

The major reason is that you didn't pay attention to where you put them, that's why you don't know where they are. Take just a fraction of a second to pay attention to where you put them. For one fraction of a second look at the spot where you are going to put something down, let's say your wallet, and pretend to yell "wallet" inside your mind. It could be "wallet" and "table" to associate the fact that your wallet is on the table. That's all, just for one fraction of a second. Now for that one fraction of a second it's like recalling your mother's maiden name. You access Alpha, for that one fraction of a second starting at the spot where you put your wallet and saying "WALLET", "TABLE"! That triggers the memory response inside your mind. In fact you open up your filter of the Reticular Activating System. Try that – it works!

I'm writing in reference to my daughter, who is entering her last year at secondary school next year.

I'm writing in reference to my daughter, who is entering her last year at secondary school next year. You did mention one of your success stories was motivating a student to achieve her best in her final year....... and while she is a good and responsible teenager and a lot of fun to be with......... she has not had a good year academically this year and I think this has dented her confidence and given her a negative attitude to her studies. Any suggestions for motivation?

Thank you for your e-mail. Many, many people have identical issues as your daughter and will never get their motivation from a book at this stage in their lives.

I note what you've said and am familiar with the issues you speak about. I really think that motivation is a matter of being able to motivate yourself. Actually, nobody can motivate you for more than a few days. If you do it yourself it will last. Of course sometimes something inspirational to an individual can spark that motivation - to this end I would ask you to show your daughter my website www.calm.com.au and go to the links on the left hand side whereby she can read the stories of some people who have succeeded in the area of learning, study and self confidence. Talk to her about her goal. It really is working towards the goal that will provide the motivation.

I've heard that Baroque Music is useful for study and relaxation - could you please tell me more about this?

I've heard that Baroque Music is useful for study and relaxation - could you please tell me more about this

Science has now shown that our heartbeat tends to get in time with the music and thus we, in turn, relax and reach the alpha brainwave state.  When we relax the Reticular Activating Filter is open and therefore information flows straight through to memory which is in the subconscious mind.  That's why specially selected Baroque Music  (with a timing of 60 beats per minute) is good for meditation and releasing stress, accelerated learning techniques such as Lazanov's Passive Concert, and for guided imagery and creativity.  Use it as a background music for studying - from mathematics to languages, or at work.  Relaxation increases productivity.

I've tried, but I haven't yet made Mind Charts work for me.

I've tried, but I haven't yet made Mind Charts work for me.

Mind Charts are an effective way of using your whole brain to summarise and recall important information. Sometimes new things take a while to perfect. There is no doubt, you achieve better results when you use more of your brain!! Try working in a group and bring some humour into the Mind Chart – it's often a key.

In an exam ? how do I use alpha for remembering the answer when I get stuck?

In an exam – how do I use alpha for remembering the answer when I get stuck

Go to your Peaceful Place – ask yourself the question- see yourself getting the answer with a tick next to it – then go on with the next question. You will find the answer suddenly comes to you whilst doing another question.

My son plays loud modern music when he's studying - any comments please?

My son plays loud modern music when he's studying - any comments please

When music is fast and varies its timing, then the heart will follow suit.  Thus the Reticular Activating Filter will remain closed allowing little information to flow through into memory.  This is an ineffective form of study, as it will take much longer to absorb the material.

What actually are Mind Charts and how do you use them?

What actually are Mind Charts and how do you use them

A Mind Chart is a representation of words done using pictures, symbols, colour and abbreviations.  It is simple and personal.  There is quite a bit more detail on Mind Charting in my book "Students Steps to Success" - an example is given in the book as to how to go about making a Mind Chart.  Mind Charts work on the premise that a picture is worth a thousand words and they use both sides of the brain for memory.  We are deliberately incorporating the Right Brain to be used in the process of memory as it is 400 to 4,000 times faster than the Left Brain.

Often when you need to write an essay in an exam, if the information needed has been summarised in a Mind Chart, it can come flowing right back at the crucial moment.  So prior to the exam you make a Mind Chart and put this somewhere where you can see it often.  In the exam, you easily recall the Mind Chart and in fact reproduce it.  Once you've done this, it is a simple matter to then write your essay.  Other uses for Mind Charting could be to make shopping lists or speeches, or to solve problems and challenges.  Mind Charts can be useful for most people (people with dyslexia have found them to be of enormous benefit, because of their difficulty with reading).

  Products & Tools · View all
Accelerated Learning Music CDs
Piece of Mind
The Wealth Pack
  Related Videos
  CALM Categories