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What tools would you recommend for someone who needs an enhanced memory for college subjects? I have decided to return to college so I can pursue a new career, I am not a spring chicken so my memory is not what it use to be. My major will be nursing so I am required to take courses in chemistry, organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology. These courses require that I study and remember many definitions and terms. Thanks, I appreciate your help.

What will help you most, might not be improving your memory like you think but to better understand what memory is. The MO corse is great, when you know what memory is you can learn easier.

But if you do not want to spend the money here is what I suggest.

The most important thing is follow the study in 90 minute sections as Paul recommends. This is actually three 20 minute study periods (the outline is clear in the PR book). This is such an effective way to learn.

It aids memory, you stay fresh, you enjoy it more, its just great.

Use it as soon as you can. The knowledge that you have newly acquired.

Stay enthused

Be active in what you learn. It’s better to get upset with what you are strugling with than to gloss over in a superficial way hoping in some later date that you should be able to recall it. Enjoy the struggle, make it a challenge.

Ask yourself many questions.

Test yourself often

Quick review over old stuff, test yourself.

Know that there are no failures in learning.

Most importantly have confidence in your ability (that’s another reason why little tests that you create for yourself are great).

Keep track of your successes, especially the small things (far to easy not to)

Keep a journal of your own thoughts regarding how you are coping, what is effective, what causes you problems, what you find easy. (this will become a power house of information). Sometimes we need to have the same thought a few times before we act on it, so looking over a journal where you wrote down a solution to previous problem can aid you. Actually there are millions of ways this will become a power house of information, you will see.

I hope this is of some help. My grade improved, I feel like I do less work, I feel like I know the stuff better.
Good luck with your learning

I think by far the most important thing is to have a genuine interest in the subject matter. If a person is studying not from real interest, but just to get a job after graduation, this in itself is a huge barrier to learning.

I had a very difficult time with organic chemistry, until I tried a new way of studying. Every day, I studied about 3 - 5 pages ahead of where the class currently was. This means I learned material on Tuesday that was covered in class the following day, on Wednesday. I read/studied about 3 - 5 pages AHEAD every day for about 30 minutes. This way I found the professor's lectures much more useful and clear. It gave me an advanced look and I knew what questions I should ask.

Another piece of advice is to ask a lot of questions, both in class and in your professor's office. Professors like students who are interested in their subject, because most students are not.