Psychology Today: Reinventing yourself: "How's Your Memory?

o Get a pencil and paper ready. Then read these words only once: bed, clock, dream, night, turn, mattress, snooze, nod, tired, night, artichoke, insomnia, rest, toss, night, alarm, nap, snore, pillow.

o Now put the magazine down and try to recall all the words. Give yourself two minutes.

o Did you remember snore and pillow? Probably, because we tend to recall the most recent items and those were last on the list. Did you get artichoke? You probably did because it was distinctive--it didn't go with the other words. Did you remember the word night? It was repeated three times, and that helped you learn it. Did you get the word sleep? Most likely, though it wasn't even on the list!"