Things To Improve Memory: 9 Surprisingly Simple Tricks To Remember

So, What Actually Helps Improve Memory?

Alright, let’s talk about things to improve memory in a real, no-nonsense way. Things to improve memory are basically habits, tools, and techniques that make your brain store and recall info more easily—stuff like spaced repetition, sleep, active recall, and good note-taking. They matter because memory isn’t just “you’re good or bad at it”; it’s a skill you can train, just like going to the gym. For example, reviewing flashcards in smart intervals will help you remember exam content months later instead of forgetting it in a week. That’s exactly what an app like Flashrecall does for you automatically: it turns your notes into flashcards and schedules reviews so your memory actually sticks.

1. Use Spaced Repetition (This One Alone Can Change Everything)

Spaced repetition is one of the most powerful things to improve memory, and it’s super simple:

• You review information right before you’re about to forget it.
• Each time you remember it, the gap between reviews gets longer.
• Your brain strengthens the “pathway” to that memory instead of letting it fade.

Instead of cramming the night before a test, you might review:

• Day 1
• Day 3
• Day 7
• Day 14
• Day 30

…and so on.

Doing this manually is annoying, which is why apps are a lifesaver here.

How Flashrecall Makes This Stupidly Easy

Flashrecall (iPhone + iPad) basically automates spaced repetition for you:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

You just create or import your flashcards, and Flashrecall:

• Schedules reviews with built-in spaced repetition
• Sends study reminders so you don’t forget to… not forget
• Shows you the right cards at the right time, without you tracking anything

You just open the app, tap “Study,” and it serves you what your brain needs today to remember long-term. That alone is a massive upgrade to your memory.

2. Practice Active Recall Instead Of Just “Reading Again”

One of the biggest things to improve memory: stop re-reading and start testing yourself.

• Re-reading notes
• Highlighting everything in neon yellow
• Watching the same video again

• Hiding the answer and trying to remember it
• Explaining a concept out loud without looking
• Answering questions from memory

Your brain remembers what it struggles to bring back, not what it skims.

Where Flashcards Come In

Flashcards are literally built around active recall:

• Question on one side
• Answer on the other
• You try to recall before flipping

Flashrecall bakes active recall right in. When you study:

• You see the prompt
• You try to answer from memory
• Then you rate how hard it was
• The spaced repetition engine adjusts future reviews based on that

You can even chat with the flashcard in Flashrecall if you’re unsure—so if you don’t fully get a concept, you can ask follow-up questions instead of staying confused.

3. Turn Anything Into Flashcards (Instead Of “I’ll Study Later”)

Another underrated thing to improve memory is just making it easier to start studying. The less friction, the more you’ll do it.

Flashrecall helps here a lot because it can create flashcards from almost anything:

• Images – Take a photo of a textbook page, diagram, or handwritten notes and turn them into cards.
• Text – Paste notes or definitions and auto-generate flashcards.
• PDFs – Import PDFs and pull out key content.
• YouTube links – Use videos you’re already watching and turn them into card content.
• Audio – Great for language learning or lectures.
• Or just type manually if you like full control.

Instead of telling yourself, “I’ll make flashcards later,” you can literally do it in seconds while you’re already studying. That one tiny behavior change massively boosts how much you remember.

Grab it here if you want to try it (free to start):

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

4. Sleep Like Someone Who Actually Cares About Their Brain

You can use all the fancy study tricks in the world, but if you’re sleeping 4 hours a night, your memory will suffer—badly.

Sleep is where:

• Your brain consolidates memories
• It decides what to keep and what to toss
• It “replays” things you learned during the day

Simple sleep upgrades that help memory:

• Aim for 7–9 hours regularly
• Keep a consistent sleep/wake time (yes, even weekends… mostly)
• Avoid heavy screens and scrolling right before bed
• Don’t chug caffeine late in the day

Think of it this way: studying without sleep is like saving files to a computer that never hits “save.”

5. Use Mnemonics, Stories, And Visuals

Your brain loves weird, vivid, and emotional stuff. Use that.

Some fun things to improve memory:

• Acronyms – e.g., “HOMES” for the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior)
• Stories – Turn boring facts into a mini story in your head
• Visual images – Imagine something exaggerated or ridiculous

Example: To remember that the hippocampus is involved in memory, imagine a hippo on campus trying to remember where its class is. Dumb? Yes. Memorable? Also yes.

Flashrecall is great for this because you can:

• Add images to your cards
• Write little stories in the answer field
• Use audio to reinforce pronunciation or explanations

The more “alive” and weird your flashcards, the better your memory sticks.

6. Break Information Into Smaller, Linked Chunks

“Chunking” is another powerful thing to improve memory. Instead of trying to remember one giant blob of info, you break it into smaller, meaningful pieces.

Examples:

• Phone number: 555-273-4920 instead of 5552734920
• Language: learning phrases instead of random words
• Exams: breaking a big topic into subtopics and learning each one

Flashcards are basically built around chunking:

• One idea per card
• Short, clear question
• Short, clear answer

In Flashrecall, you can:

• Make separate decks for different topics (e.g., “Biochem – Enzymes”, “Biochem – Metabolism”)
• Tag or group related cards
• Gradually build up a big topic from small, manageable chunks

7. Review Little And Often (Instead Of Massive Cram Sessions)

Your brain loves short, frequent sessions more than marathon grinds.

Things that help:

• 10–20 minutes a day beats 3 hours once a week
• Tiny pockets of time (bus, waiting in line, before bed) add up
• Consistency > intensity

This is where Flashrecall really shines:

• It works offline, so you can study anywhere
• It sends study reminders so you don’t forget your mini sessions
• You just open it, do a quick review, and close it—done

Those micro-sessions keep memories “alive” without burning you out.

8. Move Your Body, Feed Your Brain

Not as flashy as apps and tricks, but honestly, huge for memory.

Helpful habits:

• Exercise – Even a 20–30 minute walk improves blood flow to the brain and helps memory.
• Hydration – Being slightly dehydrated can make you feel foggy.
• Food – Omega-3s (fish, nuts), fruits, veggies, and less ultra-processed junk help your brain function better.

You don’t need to turn into a health influencer—just:

• Move a bit
• Drink some water
• Eat something that grew out of the ground once in a while

Your memory will thank you.

9. Teach What You Learn (Even If It’s To Your Wall)

One of the strongest things to improve memory is teaching.

If you can explain a topic clearly to:

• A friend
• Your notes app
• Your cat
• Literally your wall

…you probably understand it well and will remember it longer.

How to combine this with Flashrecall:

• Study a set of cards on a topic
• Close the app
• Try to explain the topic out loud without looking
• Re-open Flashrecall and test yourself again

You’ll quickly see what you actually know vs. what you only felt like you knew.

Why Flashrecall Is A Great “Memory Companion” (Not Just Another App)

There are lots of things to improve memory, but combining them with the right tool makes it way easier to stick with.

Flashrecall is especially helpful because it:

• Uses automatic spaced repetition (no scheduling by hand)
• Builds active recall into every study session
• Lets you make cards from images, text, PDFs, audio, YouTube links, or manual input
• Works offline so you can study anywhere
• Sends study reminders so you stay consistent
• Lets you chat with your flashcards if you’re confused
• Is fast, modern, and easy to use
• Is free to start on iPhone and iPad

Perfect for:

• School subjects and exams
• University and medicine
• Languages
• Business, certifications, or random things you just want to remember

If you want to actually remember what you’re learning instead of relearning it every week, start here:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Quick Recap: Simple Things To Improve Memory

Here’s the short version you can screenshot:

1. Use spaced repetition instead of cramming

2. Practice active recall (test yourself, don’t just re-read)

3. Turn your notes into flashcards quickly (Flashrecall helps a lot here)

4. Get decent sleep so your brain can store memories

5. Use mnemonics, stories, and visuals to make info stick

6. Chunk big topics into smaller pieces

7. Study a little every day instead of rare long sessions

8. Move, hydrate, and eat in a way your brain doesn’t hate

9. Teach what you learn to lock it in

Do even a few of these consistently—especially with an app like Flashrecall doing the heavy lifting—and your memory will start feeling way sharper than you might think is possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the fastest way to create flashcards?

Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.

Is there a free flashcard app?

Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.

How do I start spaced repetition?

You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.

What is active recall and how does it work?

Active recall is the process of actively retrieving information from memory rather than passively reviewing it. Flashrecall forces proper active recall by making you think before revealing answers, then uses spaced repetition to optimize your review schedule.

How can I study more effectively for this test?

Effective exam prep combines active recall, spaced repetition, and regular practice. Flashrecall helps by automatically generating flashcards from your study materials and using spaced repetition to ensure you remember everything when exam day arrives.

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