"The first step in improving your academic performance is to make sure what you're studying is processed effectively so it can be stored in long-term memory."(p.259) Some information is obtained automatically, but the learning process requires a little effort. To encode, you must pay attention, take good notes, use Mnemonic strategies, and retrieve the information. <Tab/>The first part of encoding is for you to pay attention. You need to …showed first 75 words of 464 total…

…showed last 75 words of 464 total…Assuming you have encoded and stored the desired information effectively, you should have a relatively easy time retrieving it when you participate in a class discussion, take a test, or write a paper."(p.262) You can help your memory by using good retrieval cues, as well as a lot of attention and elaboration during encoding. All of the steps mentioned above are a few ways to retrieve information when you need it in the future.