Incredibly made easy and Fun!!!!
Do you need help remembering lists of information for school, work, hobby, or other purposes? Then the Peg system of memory is what you need.
The Peg memory systems are ideal for recalling facts or information that must be remembered in a particular order.
Like all memory systems, the Peg systems improve your memory by creating a filing cabinet in your mind, ie a mental filling cabinet.
They work by associating facts or information you already know well (eg the numbers 1 to 20, and the letters A through Z) with the new facts you want to remember.
A “peg” is just a mental hook on which you hang the information. This hook acts as a reminder or a cue to help you mentally retrieve information.
Let’s look at the number from 1 to 10 first. If you could associate a piece of information with the number “5”, then simply thinking of “5” would give you back that fact.
In other words, because you will never forget how to count from 1 to 10, associating information with those numbers creates a mental filing system for the information.
In fact, you can even use peg system to memorize lists that don’t need to be in a particular order. For a fun example,
Before I explain how to use the pegs, let me point out a few important things about them:
- Peg systems remind you of what you are supposed to remember. Like the Loci system, the Peg systems provide a big advantage over free recall (rote memorization). The pegs continually remind you of all the things you are supposed to remember.
- Peg systems allow direct retrieval of items. The other systems like Link and Loci tie information together effectively, but cannot be used to recall a particular item directly. With these systems, you must mentally run through the entire link to get to the item you want. With numerical pegs, though, you can immediately say, “Number 5 is the Trigeminal Nerve” or “The Trigeminal Nerve is number 5.”
- The Pegs can be used over and over. An incredible truth about your brain is that it can distinguish between the same numerical list (i.e., the same pegs) being used multiple times for different information. For example, one research study on memory systems showed that normal people were able to memorize six different lists of items at the same time using the same pegs.
Spacing out the use of the lists and commbining the use of pegs with the other memory systems (see below) lets you use pegs to memorize a very large body of information. - You can use several types of pegs together to create flexibility. There are Peg systems that use among other things number rhymes, number shapes, and the alphabet. You can vary your use of the different Peg systems to help decrease interference between the information you want to remember.
- Pegs can be combined with the Loci or Link systems. Combining Peg systems with other memory systems allows you to memorize huge amounts of information. As one example, you could combine the Alphabet Peg system with the Link system to accurately memorize up to 260 items of information (by attaching a 10-sequence memory link to the key image of each letter of the alphabet).
How Peg Systems Work
You will never forget how to count from 1 to 20 or how to say your ABCD…But the problem with mentally attaching the information you want to remember to numbers or letters is that numbers and letters are abstract (hard to visualize).
The Peg systems solve this problem by making abstract numbers and letters concrete.
For example, with the rhyming Peg words, you first remember a concrete object whose name rhymes with the number (you will see this is very easy to do). For instance: one-rhymes with sun, two rhymes with shoe, three rhymes tree etc.
Then, to memorize a list, you visually associate each item of information with the number image (e.g., sun, shoe, tree). To recall the list, you simply run through the numbers in your mind.
Each of the main Peg systems are explained below. Click a link in the following list to jump down to the explanation for that Peg system.
Using the Number-Shape Pegs.
The simplest use of the Number-Shape Pegs is to memorize a straight list of ten objects. However, this system can be used to memorize much more, including lists of sayings, concepts, technical terms, definitions, vocabulary, steps in a procedure, and so on.
Here’s an example to show you how this works.
Suppose as a medical/nursing student, you have to commit to memory the 12 cranial nerves for a quiz competition or for an OSCE or end of semester examination and you have only have a very limited time to do that, the peg system will be of a great help and relief..
Below are examples of how to use the peg number shape system to memorize the 12 cranial nerves.
Use the your imagination to visualize the shapes of various numbers (pegs) with their corresponding objects..And take some few minutes to learn the pegs very well as you instructed here.. Ready to remember like never before? Come with me…
At the basis of this system lies the the principles of visualization and association.
Buckle up and make ready to put to use your faculties of visualization and association..
For the purpose of this exercise we will be employing the number-shape from 1-10 and continue with number-rhyme from 11-12.
Number shape:
1.
The figure 1 is shaped like a Pencil, representing the peg for number 1.
Make sure you visualize it well.. You can use one of your favorite pencils image as a peg.
Get the picture in mind very clear since it will serve as a memory hook onto which new information/fact will be hanged on..Like a “mental hanger”.
2.
The figure 2 is shaped like Swans Neck🦢, and represents the peg for number 2…Visualise vividly the shape of a real time swan and and apply other sensory elements to make it more memorable..
3.
The number 3 looks like a love emoji/Or a heart turned to onside..Create a vivid a mental image of heart and familiarize with it. Try and see it clearly with your mind’s eye.
So that the number brings into mind the shape of a heart or a love emoji, whichever works for you better..
4.
The shape of this Sail boat looks like the number ,4…Try to create and visualize vividly the image of the Sailboat ⛵️ which is shaped as 4.. See that shape or image with the minds eye..Imagine all details vividly…
Remember we’re dealing with shapes…use your imagination effectively to learn the pegs!. The clearer the images you visualize the more effective the peg..
5.
The number 5 is literally shaped like a Hook, which represents peg Number 5…Just as in the image above, visualize a specific hook in real time , if possible in specific location.. Try to familiarize yourself with its shape..employ other sensory inputs to make your image more memorable..
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
–Number-Rhyme pegs
11-Level
12-Shelf
Before starting, try and familiarize yourself with the various names and functions of the Cranial Nerves—Broaden your knowledge base on the topic in focus …
Using the pegs as stated above ;
1. Olfactory nerve (I) –
The olfactory nerve controls the sense of smell. To remember this nerve as Number 1 , you could visualize vividly a gigantic pencil ✏️ (representing number 1) with a nose-shaped eraser that can smell different scents(representing Olfactory)
The principle is simple.. As you get the pegs right, ie the pencil ✏️, you then have to creatively associate the pencil with the information-Olfactory and smell .. such that upon mentioning 1, pencil pops up in mind in association with the sense of smell or olfaction..
One creative way is to visualize the pencil tip pressing on the the nose shaped eraser.. visualizing this automatically brings to mind the information; olfactory nerve as number 1 or 1st Cranial Nerve. Check the image below;
The Image above associates Pencil(representing Number 1) with a Nose-shaped Eraser (representing Olfaction/smell)..
2. Optic nerve (II) –
The optic nerve controls vision. To remember this nerve as the 2nd /Number 2, you could VISUALIZE a swan (peg 2) swimming gracefully through a pair of giant eye glasses(representing:Optic)
Fun!! right.. the brain recollects outrageous, absurd or fantastic, funny , hilarious images- than mere abstract , ordinary words
So with this, when you’re asked, what is the the 2nd cranial nerve, by the mentioning of 2nd, your brain instantaneously triggers the recall of a swan swinning through a giant eye glasses which subsequently triggers the recall of optic and vision… check image below;
3. Oculomotor nerve (III) –
The oculomotor nerve controls eye movement.
To remember this nerve as the 3rd, you could VISUALIZE a heart shape (peg 3) beating rapidly as a pair of eyes(representing-oculo) gazing around in different directions with a man on a motorbike-(representing; motor-of oculomotor )
4. Trochlear nerve (IV) –
The trochlear nerve also controls eye movement.
To remember this nerve as Number 4 or 4th ,you could VISUALIZE a sailboat(4) on a big TRUCK (Truck is a substitute word for the word Trochlear which sounds like Truck) with its sail moving up and down as it rocks on the ocean waves…
The number 4, triggers the recall of a Sailboat, with Truck(which automatically triggers Trochlear). All these happen in milliseconds once done appropriately…
Remember, be creative in your associations.. the stronger and engaging your visualization and associations the effective the recall.. Make use of all your sensory perceptions where appropriate.. make it lively and fun..enjoy the creative process…
The brain recalls effortlessly in these states. The brain recalls absurdly outrageous images easily.. Let’s take advantage of it..
5. Trigeminal nerve (V) –
The trigeminal nerve controls sensation in the face and head and has three (tri) branches..
To remember this nerve as the 5th , you could vividly VISUALIZE a Hook (Hook representing 5) pulling on Trigmatic(a musician in Ghana) cheek in three directions to test their sensation .
Using substitute word, Trigeminal sounds like, “Trigma” of Trigmatic.. hence the memory cue Trigmatic for Trigeminal…
Check Image below;
6. Abducens nerve (VI) –
The abducens nerve controls eye movement.
To remember this nerve, you could VISUALIZE a golf Club (peg 6) swinging back and forth in front of Mr Abdul’s (representing the term Abducens) eyes.
Using substitute word for Abducens, we can find the name “Abdul” which closely mimics the sound of the word, Abducens…
So visually associating a golf club(the peg 6) with Mr “Abdul” swinging infront of his eyes automatically brings to mind number 6 and Abducens with its function…
7. Facial nerve (VII) –
The facial nerve controls facial expression and taste.
To remember this nerve as the 7th, you could VISUALIZE a person standing on the edge of a CLIFF (peg 7) making different facial expressions as they taste different foods.
Remember the clearer the visualization and association the more effective the recall..Just try to be more creative during the process of visualizing the information at hand…
8. Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) –
The vestibulocochlear nerve is responsible for hearing and balance.
To remember this nerve as the 8th , you could VISUALIZE an HOURGLASS (peg 8) with each side representing the balance of different ear canals(representing vestibulocochlear)
9. Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) –
The glossopharyngeal nerve controls taste and swallowing.
To remember this nerve, as the 9th ,you could VISUALIZE a BALLOON attached to a STICK (peg 9) filled with different flavors of liquid that a person swallows.
10. Vagus nerve (X) –
The vagus nerve controls many functions in the body, including digestion and heart rate. To remember this nerve as the 10th , you could imagine a a spoon with a plate (peg 10) that represents the digestive process.
NB. Sometimes getting an appropriate number shape can be difficult for starters especially for the double digits numbers. In cases like that, one can adopt the number rhyme to complete the task .Thus ,
Number-Rhyme
11-Level(mercury)
Accessory nerve (XI) – The accessory nerve controls movement of the head and shoulders. To remember this nerve as the 11th, you could VISUALIZE a Level (peg 11) being used to measure the straightness of a person’s posture.
12-Shelf
Hypoglossal nerve (XII) – The hypoglossal nerve controls movement of the tongue. To remember this nerve, as the 12th , you could VISUALIZE a SHELF (peg 12) with different foods that a person tastes and moves around in their mouth using their long tongue.
By using the Peg System to associate each cranial nerve with a memorable image, you can make it easier to remember the names and functions of each nerve. Just visualize the corresponding image for each peg, and the associated nerve should come to mind easily and effortlessly!!!
While the Peg System is most commonly used to remember information that can be easily associated with visual images, it’s still possible to use the system to remember information that doesn’t have a clear visual component. Here are a few tips for using the Peg System to remember non-visual information:
1. Use abstract concepts: Instead of trying to visualize concrete objects, try to associate each peg with an abstract concept or idea that relates to the information you want to remember. For example, if you want to remember a list of dates, you could associate each date with a different emotion or feeling, and then use the Peg System to create an association between each emotion and the corresponding peg.
2. Use sounds or words: If the information you want to remember involves sounds or words, you can still use the Peg System by associating each peg with a particular sound or word. For example, if you want to remember a list of words, you could associate each word with a different sound or musical note, and then use the Peg System to create an association between each sound and the corresponding peg.
3. Use tactile or sensory information: If the information you want to remember involves tactile or sensory experiences, you can use the Peg System to create associations between each peg and the corresponding sensation.
For example, if you want to remember a list of textures, you could associate each texture with a different temperature or physical sensation, and then use the Peg System to create an association between each sensation and the corresponding peg.
4. Use personal associations: Finally, you can use your own personal associations or experiences to create associations between the pegs and the information you want to remember. For example, if you want to remember a list of names, you could associate each name with a different personal memory or experience, and then use the Peg System to create an association between each memory and the corresponding peg.
Overall, while the Peg System is most effective for remembering visual information, it can still be a useful tool for remembering other types of information if you use it creatively and adapt it to your specific needs.
Thus, by using the number shape and rhyme peg system to create creative and memorable associations between each cranial nerves and a specific image or concept, you can make it easier to remember the names and functions of each in a fun and engaging way. So incredible!!!!