Not the kind of enlightenment that involves SUDDENLY understanding life, the universe and everything. Although if you’re seeking this kind of enlightenment, mediating is probably a good place to start.
The enlightment we’re talking about is what happens when you SUDDENLY GET IT academically speaking – it could be physics, biology or what the poet meant.
This week’s Neurotechnology Tip encourages you to do a little mediation BEFORE embarking on a lesson.
Pondering mediation
Researchers from the University of California wanted to improve the academic performance of their first year psychology class.
They mixed up how the lecture proceeded on several occasions.
Students either began the psych 1 lecture with a brief lesson in “mediation” or they took a short “rest”.
The “mediation” session boiled down to a little a purposeful writing exercise. The rest, simply involved a brief moment of quiet contemplation.
Once this was over, the lecture proceeded as normal. And it ended with a pop quiz.
NIGHTMARE !
Mediation magic
The pop quiz at the end of the lecture was designed to assess just how much of the lecture landed.
The students who had done a spot of meditating at the start of the class, REMEMBERED more of the lecture.
They were MORE ENLIGHTENED.
The effect was not due to them being in a better mood etc.
Try a pre-class meditation session
It is doubtful that you will be able to climb on top of the desk and thoughtfully breathe and think, prior to your class commencing.
This would be WEIRD and very noticeable.
Although, if you’re doing psych 1, you may be able to persuade your lecturer to try a pre-class guided meditation. Use the journal reference to motivate for this. However, if you’re studying physics or accounting etc. , it is highly unlikely you will be able to get your lecturer to go there.
More enlightened lectures
But you can ! You don’t need lecturer buy in.
Simply arrive a little early for the class. Sit in YOUR SPOT and engage in a little purposeful writing. Get your brain in the mood for the class.
On paper at least, it should make the lecture more enlightening. The more you get during the lecture, the less work you have to do afterwards.
Which ultimately should translate into better grades for less effort.
NIRVANA FOR SURE !
PS. To really work the system, you may want to try for a head hanging session post-lecture as well. It seems brain’s who get a chance to assimilate at the end, also land more information. 426
To wire up your brain a little each week ………………..
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Further reading
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| Plug your leaking brain to remember more | Stick out, just don’t stick out like a sore thumb | How to handle being caught yawning during class |
Did you learn something new or do you have a different perspective ? I’d love to hear from you so post me a comment below