There is no question that in order to maximize your academic performance, you need to master your study skills. Note taking, organization and memorization are all skills necessary to prepare for exams, projects and the day-to-day grind of school.
While these study skills are certainly practical, there is only one study skill that could save your life: curiosity. Wait a second, how can curiosity save your life? Let’s answer that by first pointing out that curiosity gets a bad rap. “Curiosity killed the cat” is a famous proverb that would seem to warn people against curiosity. Even Curious George, while adorable, gets into hot water every time he explores his curious side. So curiosity is dangerous, right? Wrong. Curiosity could very well save your life. Consider Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s advice on how to keep one’s mind sharp as one ages. He claims that staying sharp as you age means “to train your brain constantly to do new things.” Dr. Gupta additionally cites diet and exercise as other major factors to stay sharp as you age but the point is clear: to avoid losing your brain’s functions as you age, stay curious and engage your brain. Larry King, the iconic radio and television host for over half a century, seems to support Gupta’s point in a recent interview with Esquire magazine. King claims that the secret to his “success is brevity. Sincerity. And above all else, curiosity.” King and Gupta might agree: curiosity isn’t so much what kills the cat, it is what keeps it alive! In your studying, be sure to engage your curiosity. There is no doubt that many of your assignments will be boring and routine. So instead of dreading these assignments, train your brain to do things in a new way. Get curious with the assignment and dig a bit deeper than the teacher expects. Repeat the question “why” in your mind and see if you can uncover the answer on your own. Your studying, and your life, may depend on your curiosity. Learn more about study skills and academic preparation from CROSSWALK, the Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for academic tutoring and test prep. Learn how to approach the SAT with some basic life skills by reading 2400 SCORES by Brooke Higgins now available on Amazon.