EVER had trouble recalling a name, remembering the shopping list, or revising for your exams?

Of course you have. But that doesn't mean you have poor memory. It just means that when it comes to remembering information, you are going about it the wrong way.

Although there is no cheat's guide or secret formula to improving your memory, you may be surprised how much you can take in and recall by simply adopting a positive attitude to remembering and giving 100 per cent when listening to a conversation or college lecture.

Kate Bradford, a 54-year-old communication skills and self-development trainer, gives talks on making the most of your memory.

She has devised five simple steps to help you breeze through your exams and remember the most difficult of names such as mine.

She says one of the best things you can do for your brain is exercise it. We lose approximately 100,000 brain cells a day from the age of 25. Luckily by the age of 70, this only amounts to about 10-15 per cent of our total cells, although heavy smoking and drinking can accelerate cell loss.

Kate, who lives in Marlow, says you can keep your brain active by doing crosswords, listening to and watching quizzes, playing cards, continuing to study and having an interest in life.

Her advice to students is not to study for long periods as the longer you study the less likely you are to remember what you have learned.

She explains: "It is more beneficial to break study periods into 20 or 30 minute slots, with a 10 minute break in between.

"This gives the brain time to absorb the new information and if, on returning to study, you have a quick review of the last 20 minutes' work, this will help fix the learning more firmly in the long-term memory."

Another way to strengthen your recall ability is to improve your listening skills.

Kate says: "Many times we think we are listening when we are in fact letting our minds drift in and out of concentration. By becoming aware of this and actively bringing your brain back on track you can help improve your memory."

As to remembering names, Kate says when we are introduced to people we are too busy checking out their clothes or who they are with, rather than attempting to take in their names.

She says what we should do is: "Ask the person to repeat their name if necessary, use their name regularly in the conversation and if possible connect them with someone you know who already has that name."

If you know the name but cannot recall it, Kate says the solution is to get a piece of paper and draw a question mark in the middle that represents the name you cannot remember.

Then around that question mark write down anything you can remember about that person.

She claims: "The act of surrounding the not knowing part with the known facts gives the brain time to process the information and usually the name pops back into your mind quite quickly.

"If it has not returned by bedtime tell your subconscious that you would like the name back as soon as possible and often you will wake up with the name waiting for you."

Kate got involved in memory after finding it difficult to learn new material when she returned to study at the age of 40.

She has since researched study skills and memory and learned the reasons why our memory lets us down and how to use realistic techniques to make the most of it.

Clubs and societies can book Kate to speak on 01628 472457, or e-mail her at kate@bradford-co.freeserve.co.uk