For many students, memorizing lessons is often a major challenge. Especially before exams, the pressure to absorb information in a short time can increase stress and actually reduce memory retention. But did you know that there are some unique—even arguably weird—tips that have been scientifically proven to help the memorization process?

Amid monotonous study habits such as rereading notes or listening to recorded lectures, some creative methods can significantly boost memory and concentration. Here are six unusual yet effective tips to help you memorize lessons faster and more enjoyably.

 

1. Use a Blue Ink Pen

A study from the University of British Columbia shows that the color blue has a calming effect and can enhance focus. When used for writing, blue ink may help strengthen memory and improve concentration.

In a simple experiment conducted by color psychology researchers, students who wrote with blue ink showed better short-term memory performance than those who used black or red ink. This is thought to be because blue stimulates parts of the brain associated with calmness and visual processing.

 

2. Chew Gum While Studying

Chewing gum might sound like a random habit, but it can actually benefit the learning process. A 2013 study from St. Lawrence University found that chewing gum before and during studying can increase brain activity, boost blood flow to the brain, and improve focus.

This phenomenon is known as “mastication-induced arousal”, where the act of chewing raises heart rate and activates the prefrontal cortex—an area of the brain responsible for decision-making and working memory.

Pro tip: Choose a unique gum flavor when studying and chew the same flavor during the exam. This helps your brain associate the flavor with the material you’ve memorized.

 

3. Rewrite Material by Hand

In the digital age, many people prefer typing over writing. However, research from Princeton University and the University of California, Los Angeles shows that handwriting is more effective in helping retain information. This is due to “motor memory”, where the brain records hand movements during writing and links them to the information being noted.

When you rewrite formulas or concepts by hand, your brain works harder to understand and store the information. This strengthens synaptic connections and creates stronger memory traces.

 

4. Create and Use Unique Flashcards

Flashcards are a classic study tool, but you can make them more effective with a creative twist. Use funny images, bright colors, or even mini comics to illustrate key concepts. This taps into the power of visual memory, which according to research in Psychological Science, is stronger than verbal memory.

Unique and emotionally engaging visuals help information stick better in your brain. The more interesting your flashcards, the easier they’ll be to recall.

 

5. Spray a Specific Scent While Studying

This may sound strange, but it’s based on the principle of “state-dependent memory”—which suggests that memory is more easily accessed when the conditions during learning and recall are similar. If you use a specific scent while studying and apply the same scent during an exam, your brain may trigger the memory associations formed earlier.

Research from Northumbria University shows that peppermint and rosemary aromas can boost alertness and cognitive performance, while lavender can reduce stress during heavy study sessions.

 

6. Use Colorful Pens

This method is especially popular among visual learners. According to dual coding theory, information presented both visually and verbally is easier to remember. Using different-colored pens can help you categorize information, identify text structure, and clarify relationships between concepts.

A study from the University of Texas found that using color in study notes can increase information retention by up to 25%. Red is great for formulas or warnings, blue for general facts, and green for definitions or lists.

 

Scientifically, all of these tips work because they leverage the brain’s natural and multisensory processing. Remembering is not just a cognitive activity—it is also emotional and sensory. When we study through a combination of visual, kinesthetic, and even olfactory inputs, we build more access pathways to the information in our brain.

This is known as “contextual encoding”—the more contexts involved when storing information, the easier it becomes to retrieve it later.

Studying and memorizing do not always have to follow conventional methods. In fact, creative and unconventional approaches can be surprisingly effective. Tips like writing with blue ink, chewing gum, or spraying perfume while studying might sound weird, but science shows they help the brain function at its best.

Memorization isn’t just about repetition—it’s about activating different parts of the brain simultaneously. When learning becomes an enjoyable and multisensory activity, the results are significantly improved.

If you’re tired of traditional study methods, give these weird-but-powerful tips a try. Who knows—they might be the key to helping you memorize faster and retain information longer!