See Things in Different Ways by Osasha

See Things in Different Ways by Osasha - May 2016 Scholarship Essay

One benefit from taking both a psychology and science class this semester is that I got to learn how the brain works in relation to memory. Through the many years of schooling I've been through, I realized how inefficient last minute studying is and or can be. It simply does not allow your brain to process and store what it is that you want to remember. When it comes to finals this year, I have taken a different approach to studying. Instead of limiting myself to one form of studying, I have introduced my brain to a few more techniques. In the past, my way of going about studying was to just read over my notes; however, I have found that this alone cannot ensure memorization of the material. I now include visual aspects when it comes studying. By showing the brain different aspects of what it is you are trying to study, it becomes easier for it to store that information while allowing you to picture what it is you want to recall. Writing out your study material can also be a great and efficient form of studying. Often times, I found it difficult to sit and read information in one session and receive anything from it. But, by re-writing my notes, I have found that it not only creates a change in being bored from just reading, but it also creates another way for the brain to store information.
Lastly, I have learned to learn from others. One should not stress over material and lose hope in understanding that material simply because they did not understand it as soon as the professor introduced it. I have learned that not every person can understand something the first time it is introduced. I have also learned that everyone learns in different ways. The way a professor explains or teaches something may not be beneficial to all students; I find it helpful to reach out to other sources when it comes to studying material. Meeting up with others who are studying the same material can create various insights into what it is you are studying. This increases your chances of finding someone who may see the material a different way, and may be able to help explain it in a more simple and understandable way. Finding videos on the topics you are studying can also be helpful because it also allows for a different view and way of teaching on the same topic a professor teaches; it also allows for a visual aspect of the topic, which can be extremely helpful for students. It's also important to take small breaks in between study sessions in order to avoid overwhelming yourself. A good break can also allow you not stress yourself out, because both the brain and body are not able to perform well under stress.