Quickly memorizing large amounts of definitions

[wvcaudill2]

Hello, this summer I have been assigned large amounts of vocab. words to learn in preparation for my PSAT/National Merit Test. Each week I am supposed to learn around 150 to 200 words and their definition. I am having difficulty doing this. I have tried repeating them, and even listening to them on CD, but nothing seems to stick. Obviously, I cant put these on flash cards, because it takes FOREVER (Trust me, I tried).

What would you guys suggest?

The only materials I have is a list with all the words on it, and a recording of me saying them all so that I can listen to them before bed.

I was also wondering if could scan the list of words into my computer and open it in Microsot Office, and use a script or something to delete all words after the " - ". This way I could make my own worksheets.

(The words use this format: word - definition)

Please help!

[Dave Diller]

Don't have any good techniques, but if you can load the list into Excel, you can just do a 'text to columns' delimited by the dash to get the words into one column and the definitions in the other, then take what you want from there.

I always found learning vocab difficult without using it in a sentence, and 150-200 a week is pretty steep.

[maplecookie Veteran]

Flash cards. I know it seem silly, but I had to memorize TONS of medical terms and definitions and it got me through (there 100+ for every test..horrid)

[+Mystic MVC]

  Triliaeris said:

Flash cards. I know it seem silly, but I had to memorize TONS of medical terms and definitions and it got me through (there 100+ for every test..horrid)

Couldn't recommend anything better myself. Same logic applies to why flash cards are recommended for learning new languages.

[Solid Knight]

Use them in conversation.

And really, 150 to 200 words per week? That could only realistically be accomplished by somebody who has twenty-four hours of free time everyday or a genius.

[wvcaudill2]

  Dave Diller said:

Don't have any good techniques, but if you can load the list into Excel, you can just do a 'text to columns' delimited by the dash to get the words into one column and the definitions in the other, then take what you want from there.

I always found learning vocab difficult without using it in a sentence, and 150-200 a week is pretty steep.

Scratch that, my HP software is refusing to work. I dont know whats wrong with it, but the software that came with my all-in-one is always malfunctioning and giving errors. I have even installed it multiple times :(

  Triliaeris said:

Flash cards. I know it seem silly, but I had to memorize TONS of medical terms and definitions and it got me through (there 100+ for every test..horrid)

  Mystic said:

Couldn't recommend anything better myself. Same logic applies to why flash cards are recommended for learning new languages.

I guess I will give flash cards a shot. I need to go out and buy some though. Ive got 10 weeks worth of words :(

  Solid Knight said:

Use them in conversation.

I will have to talk to myself :p A lot of these worsds are way over a lot of peoples heads.

Keep the suggestions coming! Thanks!

[Solid Knight]

You can use them on forums then.

[wvcaudill2]

  Solid Knight said:

Use them in conversation.

And really, 150 to 200 words per week? That could only realistically be accomplished by somebody who has twenty-four hours of free time everyday or a genius.

Well, its summer now and since I dont work full time, I do have lots of time on my hands. Actually, I was selected to take a National Merit Review Course based on my previous PSATs. Thats why im doing all this.

  Solid Knight said:

You can use them on forums then.

Okay, i'll give it a shot and let you know what the denouement is :p

[Laurë Veteran]

If it were me, I'd try ten words at a time. Just write them down, then write the English/first language definition a few times. Build up to doing it from memory.

For ten words I would expect to spend one - two hours doing it, then go back and spend another half hour every so often so that I don't forget them. Obviously you don't have that much time, so you need to be harder on yourself ... basically try and write the definitions from memory straight away.

Also, make sure you are well hydrated and eat and sleep well at all times. I find regular light meals of fruit and pasta, lots of water and sleeping at normal times help me most when I'm trying to learn loads of stuff. Avoid drinking, late nights, high sugar foods etc. Caffeine can have it's uses in memory work but if it disrupts your sleep it's counter productive.

Lastly, I find it useful to replicate the exam conditions when studying, so I'm in the right mindset. That means I sit in peace and quiet with no computers, no music, no TV etc. Some people hate that idea, but I would say try it for an afternoon first.

[Deathray]

Whenever I need to remember stuff, I write it down... seems my most effective way of memorizing for exams

[wvcaudill2]

  Persephone said:

If it were me, I'd try ten words at a time. Just write them down, then write the English/first language definition a few times. Build up to doing it from memory.

For ten words I would expect to spend one - two hours doing it, then go back and spend another half hour every so often so that I don't forget them. Obviously you don't have that much time, so you need to be harder on yourself ... basically try and write the definitions from memory straight away.

Also, make sure you are well hydrated and eat and sleep well at all times. I find regular light meals of fruit and pasta, lots of water and sleeping at normal times help me most when I'm trying to learn loads of stuff. Avoid drinking, late nights, high sugar foods etc. Caffeine can have it's uses in memory work but if it disrupts your sleep it's counter productive.

Lastly, I find it useful to replicate the exam conditions when studying, so I'm in the right mindset. That means I sit in peace and quiet with no computers, no music, no TV etc. Some people hate that idea, but I would say try it for an afternoon first.

  Deathray said:

Whenever I need to remember stuff, I write it down... seems my most effective way of memorizing for exams

Thanks for your input! I tend to stay up late and eat sugary foods. Guess that will all have to change. I also drink lots of caffiene, but that generally doesnt affect me.

[wvcaudill2]

Well, I finished the note cards for this week. It only took about an hour.

[andrewbares]

Please use the words you need to know on this forum. That way it'll help you learn them and it'll help me too! I need to get ready for PSATs.

EXAMPLE:

Neowin is such a

pantasmagoria

of the strangest things.

Definition (Press Ctrl-A to read):

a series or group of strange or bizarre images seen as if in a dream

You think that's a good idea? Just make the definition font color white so we can't see it! Please do this!!

[I am Reid]

Try to use them as much as you can in your day to day speech. Also could you give us some examples of these words, because I would love to see these.

[Solid Knight]

Isn't "denouement" only used in the context of complicated plots?

[wvcaudill2]

  andrewbares said:

Please use the words you need to know on this forum. That way it'll help you learn them and it'll help me too! I need to get ready for PSATs.

EXAMPLE:

Neowin is such a

pantasmagoria

of the strangest things.

Definition (Press Ctrl-A to read):

a series or group of strange or bizarre images seen as if in a dream

You think that's a good idea? Just make the definition font color white so we can't see it! Please do this!!

What a laudable idea!

Definition (Press Ctrl-A to read): praiseworthy

  reidtheweed01 said:

Try to use them as much as you can in your day to day speech. Also could you give us some examples of these words, because I would love to see these.

Sure, here are just a few:

kleptomania

insouciant

masochist

Lilliputian

somnambulate

  Solid Knight said:

Isn't "denouement" only used in the context of complicated plots?

Not always. It typically means the outcome or result of anything.

[andrewbares]

Dudes, have you seen the Palm Pre?!? I just have this unresistable kleptomania when I'm around it. Some day I'm just gonna cut the cord that attaches it to the store, and slip it in my pocket...

Definition (Press Ctrl-A to read): Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder characterized by a recurrent failure to resist stealing. ------ I actually have the Pre, lol

[wvcaudill2]

  andrewbares said:

Dudes, have you seen the Palm Pre?!? I just have this unresistable kleptomania when I'm around it. Some day I'm just gonna cut the cord that attaches it to the store, and slip it in my pocket...

Definition (Press Ctrl-A to read): Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder characterized by a recurrent failure to resist stealing. ------ I actually have the Pre, lol

Haha! Awesome.

[wvcaudill2]

Hey, I just want to let you guys know that for the first week of trying all this out, I have been able to memorize all but 10 words! So, I am doing pretty good. Thanks again for all the suggestions!

[mtrftw]

writing them always helped me