photographic memory

[sassenach]

My son came to me and was telling me about this moment he had in class where he was trying to remember something while taking a test and suddenly he could picture the exact page (from his notes) and read it just like it was sitting in front of him. This kid has always had a pretty strong visual memory, but this is beyond anything that I've ever personally experienced. 

 

My question is, are there strategies to strengthen this skill? He felt like it was just totally random (and surprising) and not something that he had command over. It seems like a darn good skill to have, so I would love to help him hone it.

[FriedClams]

He needs occlumency with Snape... Just kidding. Made me so straight to HP. LOL How others are helpful!

[MercyA]

I could also retain written things like that. Very helpful for test taking! 

 

For me, it was just a matter of having time and a quiet space in which to do close reading of notes or texts, with good concentration and without distractions. Reading over things a couple times helped too, as did doing the reading the day (okay, usually night!) before the test. My long-term memory stinks, but I had almost photographic memory for things I only had to remember for a short time.

Edited November 7, 2017 by MercyA

[Critterfixer]

I do it too. I never tried to "study it" but I have found that if I will go check myself, I tend to increase the number of times I visually remember exactly where something is. Reading the material aloud, studying pictures on the page--all that helps me.

[EKS]

I used to be like that.  The best way I found to study for tests was to recopy my notes (this was in college--I didn't study for anything prior to that).  Then during the test, I would just read off of my notes in my head.

 

Of course, I also used to be able to remember everything that ever happened to me.  Not so much anymore.

[Bluegoat]

Visual-spacial people often remember things this way.  You might try researching using that term.

 

I'm that way but I've never tried to do anything about it.  I will say that it seems to work well with printed material, but not things read on the computer.

[Critterfixer]

I used to be like that.  The best way I found to study for tests was to recopy my notes (this was in college--I didn't study for anything prior to that).  Then during the test, I would just read off of my notes in my head.

 

Of course, I also used to be able to remember everything that ever happened to me.  Not so much anymore.

That's probably why I doodled all over my notes in class, come to think of it. I think I kind of indexed things by pictures. 

[Spryte]

I used to be like that. The best way I found to study for tests was to recopy my notes (this was in college--I didn't study for anything prior to that). Then during the test, I would just read off of my notes in my head.

 

Of course, I also used to be able to remember everything that ever happened to me. Not so much anymore.

Yep, this.

 

I'd recopy my notes, usually in outline form, and study off of that. Really, I'd just read the notes in my head during exams. Great skill to hone.

[Seasider]

I used to be like that. The best way I found to study for tests was to recopy my notes (this was in college--I didn't study for anything prior to that). Then during the test, I would just read off of my notes in my head.

 

Of course, I also used to be able to remember everything that ever happened to me. Not so much anymore.

Same

[J-rap]

My dd has a really good memory for events and people, down to the detail.  I mean, she remembers people she met 10 years ago in passing for one minute.  It's kind of neat, but then she is disappointed when they don't remember her!