Study habits that boost brain power
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Citation
Abstract
During finals or the night before an exam, staying up all night, turning on your favorite music, and eating Easy Mac may seem like the best way to study. But could a few more hours of sleep help you recall what you read? Can the difference between loud music and a silent room be the difference between an A and a B? Do your midnight snack choices directly affect your cognitive function? For the answers, you must look at the latest studies of the hippocampus (the area of the brain that consolidates memory) and of synaptic plasticity (the ability of the brain to change, learn, and compensate for injury). This research combined with tests of alertness and tests of focus in general have revealed that there are habits which specifically affect cognition. To make the most of a study session, do what’s best for the brain: aim for eight hours of sleep per night, study in a silent setting without any music playing, and modify your diet so it includes very little saturated fat.