Ignorant Bliss
Taking my first neuroscience class at Wesleyan taught me a valuable lesson about studying. Our professor advised us to know everything from the textbook and from class lectures for the test. I didn’t take this literally, assuming I could focus only on what seemed most important. I reviewed my notes, attended TA office hours, practiced by drawing out complex concepts, and talked myself through the material. By test day, I felt ready and confident.
The Strike of Reality
However, as I began the test, I quickly realized that my approach had overlooked details that played a crucial role in understanding the larger concepts. The smaller details, which I’d brushed aside as unimportant, held connections that deepened the broader concepts. I left that exam feeling defeated, fully aware that my grade would reflect my inadequate studying.
Here is the thing, in neuroscience, every detail matters. To understand the big picture, I had to grasp the importance and interconnectedness of each part. For example, rather than just memorizing which layers in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) the axons from the auditory nerve synapse into, I realized it was essential to understand why they synapse there. That way, even if I forgot specifics on a test, my understanding of the reasoning behind it would help me recall the information.
The Revamp
For the next exam, I completely revamped my study strategy. I reviewed every topic covered in the textbook and lectures, then performed “brain dumps” on a large whiteboard, where I would write down everything I could recall on a topic. Afterward, I reviewed my notes to see what I missed or what I made mistakes on, and then further studied those details. Throughout my studying, I regularly asked myself, “Why does this happen?” to test my understanding. In addition, I used various methods such as watching YouTube videos, making mini-vlogs to explain concepts to myself, drawing brain structures, and collaborating with friends to teach each other, because I believe that teaching the material is the ultimate test of comprehension.
A Lesson to Carry
After this focused approach, I walked out of the second test feeling fully confident in my knowledge. This experience taught me that in neuroscience, understanding why things happen is as crucial as knowing what happens—a thought that I can use to tackle challenges in other areas of life.
