Cognition and Memory:ways that I intend to improve my studying
Introduction
The research about perception and memory is of crucial importance to me. I intend to improve my studying patterns to ensure that a focus on, understand, and retain what is required of me by the teachers. One of the critical reasons for this is that many students, including me, have a problem with cognition. Also, remembering what is taught to us in class is a challenge. I am even though I am willing and want to remember all that is taught to me. Based on the research, enumerated below are some of the ways that I intend to improve my studying.
The Meanings That I Assign To The Studies
One of the critical areas that I will change in my studying to improve my cognition and memory is the meanings I assign to the texts and learning materials that I will encounter. According to Willingham (2003), what the mind thinks about is usually what it remembers. Consequently, the meaning that a student gives to the sentences or words read during the study is essential. A student should look for any hints that may help in a better understanding of the terms and the sentences presented while studying. What all this means is that I will have to ensure that I approach my studies with the thought process of assigning meanings to all my readings. By assigning meanings to the texts and also looking for the hints that have been given on their purposes, I will be on the right path to cognitively understanding and also storing the crucial information in my memory.
Avoiding Shallow Knowledge
Apart from assigning meaning, I will also strive to prevent shallow knowledge in my quest to ensure that ensure cognition and improved memory in what I study. Much of the blame has been put on the teachers and how they present knowledge to the students. It is because all of this eventually leads to a shallow understanding. The ideal situation is for leaners to have both pieces of knowledge of the facts and the conclusion. It involves integrating all of them, phenomena that eliminate shallow expertise in favor of in-depth knowledge (Willingham, 2003). In my study, I will avoid the pitfall of just memorizing the key facts. Instead, I will strive for deep thinking, which ensures that I know how they are related to each other before drawing any conclusion. The integration of all the facts and knowledge of what I learn will, therefore, be of utmost importance.
Being Mentally Engaged
Lastly, I will improve my cognitive ability and memory storage by being mentally engaged when studying. Willingham (2003) argues that it is first essential to understand the goals of the learning. When the purposes of the learning process are clearly understood, it then becomes easy to focus on them. Goals should be clearly defined, and in most cases, the teachers give the students the purposes of the lessons they are undertaking. Some students ignore these goals. Being mentally engaged also involves looking deeply at the context of the experiences that I am taking. Understanding the framework ensures that I will look at the goals concerning the context of what I am studying. I will also avoid zoning off and have an open mind, ensuring that I learn what is required, and not what I think is enough.
Conclusion
To ensure that I have better cognition and memory hence improving my studying, there are some changes I will make. First, I will seek to understand the meanings of the readings, using hints when they are available. I will also avoid shallow thinking. Lastly, I will strive to be mentally engaged all through my studying.