3 Study Tips From Neuroscience
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

How To Hack Your Brain: 3 Study Tips From Neuroscience

How to study smarter, not harder.

jwilbanks
Oct 11, 2018
UNC Charlotte
174
How To Hack Your Brain: 3 Study Tips From Neuroscience
upload.wikimedia.org

There are so many contradictory study tips out there that for a long time I was wondering which ones to pay attention to. But for the past several years I've been researching how the brain works and that's helped me learn how to study most effectively according to neuroscience. These are my top three tips:

1. Don't re-read your notes.

Re-reading your notes is a waste of time. Your brain tricks itself into thinking it knows something because it recognizes it on the page. But recognizing something you see and recalling it on a test work very differently inside your brain. When you recognize something your neurons fire, however, they don't create the new connections with each other that happen when you really begin to know something. That's because your brain doesn't have to filter through any information to find the right answer. Instead, quiz yourself with flashcards or get a friend to help. This will force your brain to filter through information and find the answer, and your neurons will make the new connections you need. A great place to learn more about how your brains stores information is in Dr. Barbara Oakley's book "A Mind For Numbers." Get it on Amazon for $12.

2. Stop procrastinating with the Pomodoro technique.

The Pomodoro technique is an easy way to trick your brain into staying focused and working longer, so it's a great way to beat procrastination. You just set a timer for 25 minutes, and then take a five-minute break afterward. It takes practice, but you can train your brain not to get distracted for those 25 minutes. Pro tip: get a kitchen timer instead of using an app and then put your phone in another room. The science behind it shows that our brains work best when we work for a short amount a time and then have a short break before we start working again. Basically, it makes it easier to work longer and stay focused because there is a definite end time. The short time frame also makes it easier to start your work and stop procrastinating. And 30 minute chunks are great for timeboxing your schedule.

3. Get up and get moving.

Yeah, going to the gym can suck, but exercise, specifically aerobic exercise, is incredibly important for the health of your brain. Dr. John J. Ratey has done incredible research on exercise's effects on the brain. He found that exercise increases the proteins in your brain that help you form new memories. He also found that exercise helps the brain's plasticity and how well the brain is able to grow new cells. He explains all the cool things exercise is able to do for the brain in his book "Spark" which you can get on Amazon for $10. Although there is no one right way to exercise for your brain, as little as a walk can help. In fact, some of the best results from the studies on the subject use walking as the method of exercise. So when you're feeling stuck and don't think that you can learn anymore, take a walk. It's scientifically guaranteed to help.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

Siena College
16822
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
small towns
Relationships

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you.

University of New Haven
294692
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College
90804
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
waitlisted
Swoon

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

National Writers Society
153106
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
single life
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Marist College
62666
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments