Originally posted to: http://studenttimes.com/index.php/editorial/blog/2295-treat-your-brain-the-way-it-deserves-this-semester

Treat your brain the way it deserves this semester

As a student, your memory is one of the more important parts of your ability to succeed academically. With today’s advances in science, we understand much more about the structure of the brain and how memory works than ever before. This means understanding how to find the best techniques for training your brain to store information and recall it when necessary has become a finely honed art.

The science of “neuroplasticity” or brain training, works on the principle that brain functions are malleable and unfixed. The brain has evolved to allow humans to operate in complex and changing ways, able to adapt and learn constantly.

While it might not be possible to completely re-wire your brain like something out of a science fiction novel, you can train your brain to be better at studying. Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes, just hard work, no matter what the latest fad might tell you. There is no evidence to support a “smart” pill. However, a healthy mind needs a healthy body. Getting an adequate amount of sleep, exercising regularly, and eating well are all foundations of a finely honed mind.

Research shows our brains begin aging in our late 20s or early 30s, slowing down the speed of processing and working memory (the kind of memory that allows us to both retain information and process it as needed, both necessary things for students) which reduces our brains’ capacity to work through new information and process it accordingly. While many students might be graduated by that age, many aren’t. Keeping your brain at top performance to succeed in school means actively working on vocabulary-related language skills, and pattern recognition, among other things. Address strengths and weaknesses to maintain a high level of performance.

Repetition is key; strengthen your brain by practicing a skill over and over. Stimulating the same neural pathways in your brain will strengthen existing connections and beef up new ones, which is key for succeeding in studying. Over time, the brain can become more efficient, and take less effort to do the same task than previously.