OET Hacks: 4 Science-Approved Ways to Hone Your Memory

What’s the use of spending weeks on intensive training at the OET Manila center if you can’t recall what you studied? Keep your memory sharp with these Science-backed tips! 

1. Shake up your routine.

Here’s the thing: when your mind and body is so used to doing something, your brain seldom spares the energy to process what is happening. It’s your brain’s way of saving space. It determines what it needs to retain and what it needs to discard. Routine activities fall on the latter.

So, make it a point to shake up your routine from time to time. Take a different route to your school or workplace, do something with your non-dominant hand, or listen to a genre of music that’s different from your usual selection. It’ll help keep your mind in top form.

2. Drink coffee.

Need another excuse to load up on caffeine? A study revealed that caffeine improves the mind’s ability to consolidate memories. Researchers came by this result after giving participants, who were tasked to study a set of images, either a placebo (a harmless pill) or a caffeine tablet. Those who took the latter were able to recall the pictures better compared to those who took the former.

So, go ahead. Tackle your OET Manila review materials with a side of caffeine. Just remember to be mindful of your intake and your limit. Drinking too much coffee can do more harm than good to your physical and mental health.

3. Get more sleep.

If you think staying up all night to study for OET is a smart move, you need to rethink your strategy. Sleep is crucial to processing and reinforcing memories. Deprive yourself of it, and you’ll have a hard time retaining new information.

Can’t get the recommended eight hours? Make up for it by taking naps throughout the day. A Harvard study showed that participants who took 45-minute naps after an intensive learning session performed better in memory tasks compared to participants who didn’t. Keep these in mind during your preparation period.

4. Chew gum while you study.  

Chewing gum when you study something and chewing one of the same flavor later one will help you recall the information better. However, this is not the only advantage of this strategy.

A study showed that chewing gum improves memory retention as it increases the activity in the hippocampus. Researchers have yet to determine what exactly causes the increased activity. The most plausible theory is that the act raises heart rate levels and consequently improves the circulation of oxygenated blood in the brain.

Make sure you can recall everything you need when you take the Occupational English Test (OET) for nurses. Keep your memory in top condition with these memory-enhancing tips.

References:

Cooper, Belle Beth. “6 Science-Backed Methods to Improve Your Memory.” Fast Company. March 31, 2014. Accessed February 7, 2019. https://www.fastcompany.com/3028359/6-science-backed-methods-to-improve-your-memory

Forsey, Caroline. “5 Scientist-Approved Techniques for Improving Your Memory.” Blog Hubspot. Accessed February 7, 2019. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-improve-memory

Wolchover, Natalie. “6 Fun Ways to Sharpen Your Memory.” Live Science. January 5, 2012. Accessed February 7, 2019. https://www.livescience.com/17756-6-fun-ways-sharpen-memory.html

Briggs, Helen. “How to Super-size Your Memory, According to Science.” BBC. March 8, 2017. Accessed February 7, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39194495