1. Address the following questions:
a. What challenges did you overcome throughout this inquiry project? How did you go about overcoming these challenges?
Firstly, a challenge I overcame was finding accurate and reliable sources. For example, I conquered this challenge by using the sheet Ms. Martin gave the class to examine the credibility of the author from previous years. Moreover, I had difficulties finding how comparison can decrease productivity. Many websites only mention the positive effects of comparison while studying. I overcame this challenge by researching my information on the Charles Best Learning Resources page. This is because that page had a variety of information to help me create a non-biased post. Furthermore, it was challenging for me to condense my information into a single blog post. There was so much information about productivity that I had to select only the important facts. For example, I resolved this problem by constantly asking myself, “If I were reading this blog post, would I find this information interesting and informative?” This encouraged me to create a detailed, engaging and concise post.
b. How did this inquiry change the way you think?
This inquiry changed the way I think because I feel less burned out after researching how to study. For example, I learned how studying long hours is not as effective as studying smarter. I can study smarter by studying hard for 25 mins and taking a 10 min walking break. This will help me to reflect on my study material while taking care of my mental and physical health. Furthermore, I am more appreciative of the BC School Curriculum. I realized in my elementary school years, they tried their best to incorporate study breaks through recess and lunch breaks. I am grateful to live in Canada, where they both prioritize studying and personal wellness. Although studying plays a huge part in success, humans are not only made to study. For example, based on Aristotle’s idea, “We were made to communicate with others and find what makes us happy.” I hope to research more study techniques because many of my university friends are feeling burnt out. I will help them by sharing even more study techniques with them like the pomodoro technique, active recall, and mind maps. I am motivated to help others learn productively, so they do not get burnt out.
c. How did this investigation impact your future decisions?
This investigation impacts my future decisions because I use so many more study technics that have helped me study productively. For example, instead of just looking over my study materials, I read them aloud to my mom and my friends to memorize and understand the information. Furthermore, I will be more grateful when my teacher assigns a lesson because I realized how much time went into prep for each lesson. I will stay more attentive in class because they worked hard to teach a lesson effectively. Lastly, this impacts my future decision about becoming a teacher for medical school. I hope to volunteer or work as a teacher in a church or a classroom to promote positive learning and help students feel more productive.
d. What impact will this investigation have on others locally and/or globally?
This will have a huge impact on others globally because they will be more productive during their college and university years. This will motivate them to pursue their hobbies like cooking, travelling, or playing basketball while studying. This may also make learning more approachable. For example, many students like to cheat or skip classes because they feel overwhelmed by the learning materials. Once they realize how to romanticize studying, they will be able to want to learn more things they are passionate about. I hope to inspire others to continue to promote learning so that the world’s population can stay even more educated. For example, only around ninety percent of the world’s population has completed primary education. If the other ten percent receive an education, we may be able to resolve global issues like war, hunger, racism or abuse. This will also impact others globally. They will stay more attentive during class because they will realize the importance of being knowledgeable. For example, as Neil Armstrong said, “Research is creating new knowledge.”
Thank you,
Sarah Kim
