Working hard and studying effectively is a great way to boost your performance in lessons and exams, but there are other things you can do as well. Keeping your brain healthy can enable you to learn better and retain more information and in greater detail. Whether you’re looking to improve your scores in everyday tests and assignments or are studying for an important exam, the brain is an important asset, so make sure you look after it well!
Below, we discuss the importance of brain maintenance and provide some activities to help you organise information and improve your memory.
Why is Looking After Your Brain so Important?
Whilst studying it is really important to look after your brain especially if you’re looking for ways to improve your memory. The brain functions better when we get enough rest. This not only means that sleep improves our ability to recall information, but it also enhances how well we make links between new and old information.
A simple way to look after your brain and boost your ability to remember things is to ensure that you are drinking enough water. Not being fully hydrated can have a significant impact on your mood, memory and concentration!
Whilst sleeping, new connections form between your brain cells, which aid memory and learning.
Activity 1
Watch this video on the benefits of a good nights sleep. Once you have watched the video, write down 5 benefits of sleep and how this can positively impact your education.
Learning Mindsets & Success
Carol Dweck is a leading researcher in psychology and she found that students with a ‘growth mindset’ were more likely to succeed in life. Adopting new learning techniques is a great way to take on this ‘growth mindset’ because it means approaching new challenges with the attitude that you can always improve and grow your intelligence.
Which of the following mindsets do you think will lead to success?
Fixed Mindset
- I’m only good at certain things.
- I hate challenges.
- I can’t take feedback and criticism.
- I take feedback and criticism personally.
Growth Mindset
- I can be good at anything.
- I welcome feedback.
- When I fail, I learn.
- Others’ successes inspire me.
- I want to be challenged.
Organising Information
On average, humans can remember roughly 7 things at any one time in their working memory. This means we sometimes need simple strategies either to work around this fact, or to maximise this limited capacity.
You could try:
- Separate information into manageable chunks.
- Create an acronym to help you remember.
- Create a memorable, silly sentence.
- Make associations.
Activity 2
Here is a list of the top ten deadliest creatures in the UK. Spend 5 minutes trying to think of an acronym to help you remember the list.
- Wasps and bees.
- Dogs.
- Red deer.
- Cows.
- Adder (British Isles).
- Seagulls.
- Jellyfish.
- Fox.
- Spiders.
- Killer whales.
Activity 3
Play this video and spend a few minutes making a note of all the items in the bag before you scroll down. Try using the techniques we listed above if you’re struggling.
Answers:
- PVC gloves.
- Crepe bandages.
- Scissors.
- Cotton swabs.
- Tongue depressor.
- Cotton swabs.
- Metal tweezers.
- Alcohol cleansing pads.
- Aspirin.
- First aid guide.
Personalising Information
Stories help us to absorb information quickly, so why not turn your study material into a story? They are easy to remember and can be shared with peers.
Benefits of personalising information:
- Increases motivation.
- Increases ability to analyse something.
- Transfers material from short term memory to long term memory.
Activity 3
Read the short story on this video. On a piece of paper, spend around 10 minutes writing, drawing, using diagrams or numbers to illustrate the events in the story. Turning your study material into some sort of story, narrative or logical sequence will help you to remember and understand it better.
Get in Touch for Further Guidance
Taking the time to understand your brain and figure out tips, tricks and strategies to help you perform at your best will pay off in the long run. If you need any further guidance about brain maintenance, study tips and tricks, or something else entirely, contact team DANCOP and will do our best to find the answer for you!