Education, learning or learning is a fundamental process of human life, which builds an individual’s personality, skills and knowledge. It helps us adopt new ideas, solve problems and develop. The importance of learning also lies in the fact that it enables a person to play a better role and achieve their goals by achieving social compatibility.
Education is an important aspect of our lives, and examinations are a stage in it, as they approach, students face the challenge of successfully retaining the information learned throughout the semester.
For this purpose, it is not enough to simply spend more time studying, but it is especially important to understand how our brain learns and how it remembers or repeats information.
The brain plays a central role in the learning process. When we gain new experience or acquire information, new connections are formed between neurons in the brain. This process is called neuroplasticity, which enables the brain to change and learn new things. Through repetition and practice, these neuronal connections become stronger, which improves memory and skills.
Different parts of the brain are responsible for different aspects of learning, such as the hippocampus for memory, Broca’s area for language learning, and the prefrontal cortex for attention. Learning requires that the brain be kept active, such as by providing good nutrition, sleep, and a positive environment.
Below we will mention a neuroscience study, which sheds light on how the adolescent brain absorbs, stores, and remembers facts.
Bogdan Dragunsky, a neuroscientist at the Instel University Hospital Bern in Switzerland, believes there are no quick fixes or ‘easy’ solutions to success in school. “Learning is an individual process, which means that no single learning method is effective for everyone,” he says.
As for the question of how the brain learns complex information? The brain stores memories physically as connections between neurons, specifically in the hippocampus and amygdala. Scientists are still not entirely sure what happens in the brain when we learn complex information.
There are two main stages in learning new information and solidifying it in the mind: encoding, in which information is initially acquired, and consolidation, in which this information is solidified in the brain’s memory cells.
Research shows that active recall (when you force your mind to retrieve information) is more effective at strengthening memory than other study methods that involve activities like rereading notes.
Neuroscientists say that our brains are naturally drawn to new things. This means that it is easier for you to remember new and interesting things. Conversely, when your learning environment becomes monotonous, such as in some classrooms, your brain starts to become inactive.
A high level of mental focus is essential for the learning process. To do this, it is important to find different ways to learn any subject, whether it is educational videos, books, or other sources such as podcasts and radio programs. Even repeating what you have learned, in the form of drawing or singing, can be helpful in solidifying knowledge.
Now let’s talk about how harmful mental stress can be in the learning process.
Research has shown that stress has a profound effect on learning and memory. A little stress can help improve memory, but too much stress can interfere with remembering information and connecting new information to old memories, and can lead to forgetting or forgetting. When stress becomes excessive, the brain’s ability to absorb information decreases, making learning difficult and ineffective. Too much stress on exam day can cause you to forget something you had memorized.
Now let’s mention some of these science-based tips that suggest effective ways to learn.
One of the most important pieces of advice that neuroscientist Bogdan Dragunsky gives to young people to improve their academic performance is to live a healthy life. That is, a healthy lifestyle. That includes adopting healthy habits like sleep, a balanced diet, and exercise.
Adequate sleep is especially important for learning and memory consolidation. Lack of sleep can lead to decreased attention, difficulty remembering information, and increased stress. Young people need about 8 to 10 hours of sleep per day for optimal mental performance. However, this need may vary from person to person based on individual differences. For example, if you feel refreshed after seven hours of sleep, that is actually what you need.
Experts also recommend regular exercise for better academic performance and memory. Physical activity has positive effects on mental performance, especially in young people. Exercise helps reduce stress, as it reduces cortisol levels.
It should be noted that cortisol is a hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands. It is produced in the body in the event of stress or pressure and is also called the ‘stress hormone’.
Exercise increases endorphins, which are natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) produced in the human brain that help reduce pain and create a feeling of happiness or relaxation. Endorphins are also commonly referred to as the ‘happy hormones’.
Therefore, even a short walk or light exercise can improve attention span, reduce anxiety, and make exam preparation more effective.
Dragansky says that reasonable parental support also plays a role in young people’s academic success. If possible, work with them to create a low-stress environment.
Deep breathing exercises can also help keep stress under control. These techniques are useful for dealing with both exams and parenting.
Moreover, there is a need to understand the types of memory and explore our memory. For example, some people have better auditory memory, some have better visual memory, some have better indirect memory, some have better active memory, and some have better passive memory. In such a situation, we need to adopt this method.
Exam preparation can be made more effective and successful by understanding the types of memory and using appropriate techniques. You can adopt the following methods to improve memory in exam preparation:
Repetition: Repeating important points over and over again strengthens long-term memory.
Comprehension: Try to understand the material rather than memorizing it so that it is easier to remember.
Pictures and diagrams: Presenting information in the form of graphs or diagrams improves memory.
Writing practice: Writing down the material you have memorized strengthens the mind.
Taking breaks: Taking breaks during long study sessions refreshes the mind and retains information better.