Getting a sweet treat is socially acceptable after big exams because of the notion that you deserve to be rewarded when you work hard.
Reinforcement, associated with behaviorism, is central to motivation.
While sometimes I feel guilty for justifying positive reinforcements, maybe there is merit in celebrating small victories to boost my mental health.
Behaviorism is one of many psychological frameworks that explain how humans acquire knowledge. In the struggle to determine how to thrive in the classroom and as a new Bruin, students should explore the psychology of theories of learning.
Humans are very curious and have naturally sought to understand the mysteries of the brain. Our ability to learn is unlike any other animal. If we had a better understanding of our general behaviors as students, we might be able to maximize time studying, avoid common conflicts and cultivate a growth mindset.
Students misconstrue efficient studying as playing the game of memorization – encoding and retrieving explicit memory. However, study hacks often are based around cognitivism, a learning theory that emphasizes building information actively based on what we already know. I like using the Roman Room technique, which involves associating specific locations to information so that you “walk through” and retrieve spatial information.
I also learned the value of efficiency and quality over the quantity of hours studying. If I can focus for a set period of time with no distractions, it’s much easier to reach flow state – the student’s dream. Encoding becomes your brain’s primary focus. Learning the skill of studying early by finding your own rhythm means better school results and work-life balance.
Beyond simple memorization, it is key to understand concepts and learn the skill of critical thinking. While studying for the MCAT, I’ve realized UCLA classes have pushed me to become a better learner.
It was not necessarily about the content, but the skills and diligence acquired along the way. During class, I turn off my phone and maximize my time by listening. During discussions, I apply and complete worksheets without referencing notes to check on understanding.
For me, this is a form of studying because I am actively engaging with course content and find myself thinking beyond the listed objectives, in search of alternative resources to reference.
College is much less structured than high school and requires that you find time to sit with material, absorb and ultimately apply it in exams to strengthen your understanding. You have to hold yourself accountable.
While procrastination was never a huge issue for me, I face test anxiety and second-guess myself during exams. I have built confidence in myself by trusting the study strategies that work for me.
That way, I can walk away feeling proud even if I don’t receive the absolute highest grade. Instead of wishing I studied more and regretting my actions, I can say I tried my hardest and move forward to strategize the ways in which I can improve from setbacks.
It is tempting for me to skip my 8 a.m. lectures and play The New York Times games in class. But taking the extra mile – figuratively and literally – on our large campus, going to office hours, studying hard and completing supplemental material sufficiently prepares me for exams and makes the knowledge more adherent.
Finding rhythm is difficult initially, but persisting to work with your schedule is the best thing you can do to boost cognition. This can be challenging since our schedules change quarterly, but for me, I like to keep a planner and have notes organized on Notability to facilitate structure.
While we can explain our brains in simple formulas like running computers, nothing about psychology can be understood in isolation, and studying for classes is much easier said than done.
Personality, identity and social structure come into play, and I’ve found the beauty of forming study groups in college despite being stubbornly independent. I remember being forced to do so when progressing through the Life Science 7 series. Initially, I did so begrudgingly, as we got assigned into group pods to do worksheets and exams.
Eventually, however, I came to appreciate everyone’s individual identities and perspectives. I later found myself imitating my friends’ study habits and observationally learning – a strategy I now recognize as social learning theory.
Social learning theory also examines how barriers to education, entwined in social structures, may inhibit our ability to learn, impacting learning access and motivation. Being cognizant and giving yourself grace is essential. Prioritizing mental health and reaching out for help should be normalized and encouraged.
Beyond the classroom, college life is enticing in granting students a novel society and role. This is likely the first time you are truly alone, independent and get to choose who you want to be.
It is exhilarating to be out in the unknown. But to truly thrive, one must be open-minded and willing to connect with the Bruin community.
While we are each on individual paths, a large student body surrounds us. I chose a big school because of its vast resources, different from the small suburb I grew up in.
Every school year should be an enlightenment, serving as a stepping stone for shaping your identity, and such enlightenment comes from reflection and understanding how our brains learn.
Defining effective study techniques is going to be different for every student and is going to take patience, as well as trial and error. Nonetheless, looking within to understand yourself is the key to cracking the code for success in the classroom and as a new Bruin.
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