How To Boost Your Memory Power

The Memory Palace technique -- also known as the "method of loci"-- is a great way to memorize lists and organize large sets of information in your mind. Believe it or not, it's fun, too! Here's a quick guide on how to use a Memory Palace to improve your memory.
Using a Memory Palace in 10 Steps:

1. Choose a place you know well, such as your house, school, or neighborhood.
2. Visualize this place in as much detail as possible. How do the rooms fit together? What color are the walls and carpets? What's inside the closets and under the beds?
3. Imagine a path through the place and visualize yourself walking on this path.
4. Note the first thing along the path that catches your eye. Then note the second thing that catches your eye, the third thing, and so on.
5. Write down a list of these eye-catching items or say the name of each item out loud to help you remember them.
6. Then, write down a list of the items you need to memorize for a test.
7. In your mind, associate each of the items on your first list with one item on your second list. For instance, if you need to remember the names of three American presidents and the order in which they took office, assign the name of the first president to the first item you see when you enter the place, the second president to the second item you see, etc.
8. Make the associations as memorable as possible. For example, dress George Washington like a rapper and put him under the kitchen table. Dress Abe Lincoln like a figure skater and store him in the imaginary bathtub. Be crazy, be creative, and have fun!
9. After you've made your associations, visualize yourself walking along the path again. Pause at each of the memorable items you listed earlier. Look closely at what you see. Each of your presidents should be there, in the order you need to remember them.
10. Mentally "walk through" this place several times throughout the day, visiting each of the memorable sites.