Method of Loci

<-NARRATOR:-> Now listen to part of a lecture on this topic.
<-MALE PROFESSOR:-> So how would this work?
Well, let's say you need to learn the names of the planets-
in order, by distance from the Sun.
So first, think about the landmarks you pass as you walk from, say, your dormitory to the student center.
The first one might be...the front door of your dormitory,
then the big tree in front of the dorm...
the next landmark you pass might be the statue in front of the library;
next, the steps to the science building...
you get the idea.
You memorize the major points along the walk...
imagining yourself going from the first landmark,
to the second, the third, and so on.
Now the next thing you do
is assign one planet to each of your landmarks...in sequence.
Since Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun,
you assign it to the first landmark-
the front door of your dorm.
The next planet,
Venus, to the tree in front of the dorm...
the third planet, Earth,
you assign to the third landmark, the statue in front of the library...
and so on and so on.
And each time you picture the association in your mind as vividly as possible.
Then later...
say you're sitting in the classroom taking a test
and you have to write the order of the planets from the Sun.
What do you do?
You imagine yourself on that familiar walk to the student center,
passing each landmark as usual.
When you think about walking out the door of your dorm,
you're reminded of Mercury.
When you see the beautiful tree in front of the dorm,
you think of Venus...
at each landmark along the way,
you recall the next planet
and write it down.