Neuroscience has revealed that not all study strategies are created equal, and some traditional methods may even hinder your learning process despite being used for generations. To help guide you toward more effective learning, here are three common mistakes to avoid when you're in study mode.
We all know the importance of eating well and exercising, but we're less aware of the equally crucial importance of rest for our well-being. Difficulties with concentration, lack of motivation, or mental wandering are often part of our daily lives. Yet numerous studies have shown that a lack of rest and periods of disconnection can severely affect our mental and physical health. However, it's not enough to simply want to rest for our "noggin" to follow suit. In fact, understanding the brain's modus operandi is essential to be able to rest and recover intelligently. Here are some concepts that will help you replenish your cognitive resources.
We all engage in metacognition daily, often without fully realizing it, and developing it is one of the best ways to enhance the quality of our learning. Introduced in the 1970s by American psychologist John H. Flavell, this concept has since been explored in depth by many researchers, and its principles remain relevant today. According to Flavell*, metacognition refers to an individual's knowledge about their own cognitive processes and products, involving active control, regulation, and orchestration of these processes. Subsequent scholars have expanded upon this notion, enriching its understanding and applications. Here are ten key points to better comprehend this essential faculty for optimizing your learning.
Understanding how the brain functions during learning can lead us to rethink our teaching methods, but also our study habits. While class attendance is essential, it is equally crucial to adopt effective study strategies to succeed. Thanks to advances in neuroscience, we now know that not all study methods are equal; some, although practiced for generations, can be counterproductive, while others, less well-known, are decidedly worth adopting. Here are three good study habits highlighted by neuroscience.
Many of our daily judgments, although they seem thoughtful, are not rational and can lead us to unwise decisions. These errors in judgment are known as "cognitive biases," and there are currently about 250 identified. While the field of education promotes critical thinking, the relationship between teachers and learners often fosters the emergence of certain biases, which can have significant consequences on learning.
Exams can be a major source of stress for many students, and it's crucial to know how to manage it to prevent it from affecting your performance. Here are some tips, supported by research, to help you navigate these intense periods of your student life.
