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LESSON 5: ASSIGNMENT 2

Education is a transformative voyage that empowers individuals with knowledge,

skills, and the ability to shape their future. While attending classes and completing

assignments are important components of this journey, they may not be sufficient to unlock

one’s full academic potential. The video titled ‘How To Study Better in 4 Minutes – A

Cognitive Approach’ highlights the importance of studying smarter rather than harder

(MindfulThinks, 2017). It suggests that studying over multiple days and implementing a

three-step process as a basis are essential (MindfulThinks, 2017). These processes involve

encoding, long-term memory retention, and retrieval.

The video emphasizes the initial stage of learning, known as encoding. It suggests that

active engagement, elaboration, and visual representation can enhance encoding.

Additionally, the video promotes handwritten note-taking as a superior method for encoding

information compared to typing on a laptop.

The second process introduces the hippocampus, which plays a major role in learning

and memory retention. The object of this step is to not forget the information so that the

hippocampus can retrieve and store it (MindfulThinks, 2017). This is a crucial role of

restudying in transferring information to long-term memory. It highlights the hippocampus’

involvement in memory processing and the need for frequent reminders to prevent forgetting

and the recommendation of reviewing notes five to ten minutes before each class is valuable

(MindfulThinks, 2017).

The video challenges the common belief that cramming is an effective study method.

It cites a study where spaced studying outperformed cramming and highlights the importance

of distributing study sessions over time. Cramming has always been my method of study

during my tertiary-level studies, but this video has convinced me otherwise.

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LESSON 5: ASSIGNMENT 2
While encoding and storage are essential, the retrieval process is equally significant as

it allows individuals to access and utilize stored knowledge. This third step involves

searching for and recovering the desired information to bring it back into conscious

awareness. The video teaches that actively retrieving information through self-testing or

practice quizzes strengthens memory traces, promoting better long-term retention and recall.

By understanding the cognitive processes involved in learning, we can enhance our

study habits. We must remember to actively engage with the material, utilize retrieval

practice, embrace spaced repetition, and minimize distractions. After watching the video, I

must agree that with a cognitive approach to studying, you can optimize your learning

potential and achieve better results.

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LESSON 5: ASSIGNMENT 2

References

MindfulThinks (2017, February 15). How to Study Better in 4 Minutes: A Cognitive

Approach

[Video]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3hPDKV6HwM