Memory not what it used to be? Research suggests that jotting down notes in color helps you retain 50%-80% more information without reading it a second time. What color paper & pens should you use? Writer and dyslexia advocate Howie deGraaf swears by using red pens on yellow colored paper. Then there’s this from the New York Times:

“If you’re talking about wanting enhanced memory for something like proofreading skills, then a red color should be used,” said Juliet Zhu, an assistant professor of marketing at the business school at the University of British Columbia, who conducted the study with Ravi Mehta, a doctoral student.

But for “a brainstorming session for a new product or coming up with a new solution to fight child obesity or teenage smoking,” Dr. Zhu said, “then you should get people into a blue room.”

Well, I’m not about to repaint my office. But maybe adapting Zhu’s advice to writing paper will provide some benefit. I’m thinking red paper for proofreading things like this blog post, and blue paper for brainstorming topics. Definately worth a try.

Do you have any tips for improving your memory? Share them in the comments.

Source: NYTimes.com, Academictips.org, Dyslexia Victoria