Easy Ways to Memorize 50 States

Memorizing all 50 states requires practice and repetition.

The U.S. has 50 states and capitals, and for many, memorizing them all can be an arduous and difficult task. Whether you are an elementary school student or an adult, you can benefit from practicing a few simple mnemonic devices, songs and other memory-boosting tools, to help you remember all of the United States.

Song

Learning through songs and melody is an effective way to keep information accessible and memorable. You can create your own original naming-the-states song to a familiar tune or practice singing to published songs, such as Mrs. Jones' "The Fifty State Capitals Song" (see Resources) or Ray Charles's catchy "Fifty Nifty United States." Try to sing the song a few times a day---first reading the lyrics. Gradually memorize portions of the song, until you have memorized it in its entirety.

State Association

Making word associations may also help you better remember the states. Write the numbers one to 50 on a piece of paper. Next to each number, write the name of a state---alphabetical order is ideal. Next to each state, write down a simple visualization or word association that is germane to the state. For example, write "hula" next to "Hawaii." On a separate sheet of paper, write the numbers one to 50. Next to each number, list various and obvious landmarks you have in your household. Write them in the order you would see them when you first come though the door. For example, "doorknob" would appear first, "hallway" might come second, "shoe rack" may come third, and so on. Continue writing the landmarks until you have 50. Practice connecting the corresponding number, state, visualization and landmark with each other. For example, if number one is Hawaii, its visualization is hula and its landmark is doorknob. Try entering your house, seeing the doorknob and then visualizing the corresponding state or association. The association exists to help you think of the state if you can't remember it on its own. Continue this process as you walk though all your landmarks.

Blank Map

The blank map is a good way to continue building on your state visualization skills. Start with several copies of blank U.S. maps. Take a look at a U.S. map with all of the states filled in. Study it for about a minute, and then put it away. Take a blank map, and try to recall as many states as you can. Write them directly on the map. You can also color the states to visually differentiate them further. Put it away. Study the complete U.S. map for a minute. Put it away. Take another blank U.S. map and fill it in with as many states as you can remember, including the states from the first round. Continue this process until you can recall each state.

Geographical Sections

Remembering the states in small geographic sections is a good way to retain the information in small pieces. Think about breaking the U.S. into distinct regions: the Northeast, the South, the Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, etc. Label only the corresponding states of a particular region on a map and study it until you have the entire region memorized. Continue the process for the remaining geographical regions.

References

• Mrs. Jones Room: Learning the 50 States and Capitals
• Mrs. Jones Room: The Fifty State Capitals Song
• Memory Improvement Tips: Memorize 50 States

Resources

• Mrs. Jones Room: The Fifty State Capitals Song