Brain Hacks
True or False: Listening to music with lyrics while studying always improves focus.
False
Which city is the capital of Portugal
Lisbon
True or False: Highlighting everything in your notes is an effective strategy.
False
HIGHEST measured bite force recorded in a living animal?
Saltwater crocodile
The students who feel no stress before an exam are more likely to perform worse than those who feel a little stress.
True — a moderate level of stress improves focus and alertness
A student rereads the same page 6 times but remembers nothing. Suggest 2 study methods they should try instead?
Practice questions
Summarize using own words
Imagine teaching someone
Watch a video on the content
What is the most populous country in the world today?
India is the most populous country in the world, having surpassed China with a population exceeding 1.43 billion to 1.47 billion people. India currently holds approximately 17.79% of the total world population
What is the most common reason students lose marks even when they studied?
Misreading questions / rushing
What percentage of Egypt’s land is a desert?
95%
Before an exam, which is the better food choice:
A) A piece of chocolate
B) A handful of nuts
Nuts release slow, steady energy, keeping blood sugar stable. Help with focus and concentration.
Sugar causes a quick spike, improving mood → then a crash. Energy and focus can drop during the exam.
True or False: Studying with your phone next to you (even if you don’t use it) reduces your focus.
True — your brain stays distracted waiting for notifications
You drop a heavy book and a light notebook at the same time.
Which hits the ground first (in vacuum)?
They hit at the same time
Your friend says, “I can only study when I feel motivated.” What advice would you give?
Relying on motivation is a TRAP because it fluctuates daily. Instead, advise your friend to build routines over feelings. Actions often spark motivation, not the other way around.
Where does ice melt faster: room-temp water or room-temp air.
Room-temp water
Water molecules are tightly packed (higher density), allowing the liquid to transfer heat faster
What are 3 healthy ways to calm yourself before a test?
Take deep breaths
Avoid discussing answers with stressed classmates right before the test
Get to class early and settle down
Think positive thoughts "I'm prepared"
Review short notes instead of cramming
A student says, “I studied everything but remember nothing during the exam.” Name two possible reasons.
Stress, lack of sleep, passive studying, cramming, all block memory recall
True or False: Lightning is hotter than the surface of the sun
True. A lightning bolt superheats the surrounding air to roughly (30,000 C). This makes it about five times hotter than the surface of the sun, which is only about (5,500 C).
A student says, “If I fail this exam, my life is over.” What would be a healthier way to think?
One exam does not define a person’s future; mistakes are part of learning
About how many neurons (brain cells) does the human brain have?
Around 86 billion
Name 4 habits that can make stress worse during exam week.
Comparing yourself to others
Not sleeping enough
Overthinking mistakes
Negative self-talk
Not asking for help when needed
A student watches “study with me” videos, rewrites notes neatly, and feels productive… but fails the test.
What’s the problem with their study method? Give TWO reasons.
Strongest punch/strike in the animal kingdom
🦐 Mantis shrimp
Its punch creates a shockwave and collapsing bubbles that can instantly crack shells and stun or kill small sea animals. Even though it is small, its strike is so powerful it’s often compared to a tiny underwater “explosion” rather than just a normal punch.
Why does your brain remember TikTok videos easily but forget what you studied? Give 2 reasons.
More engaging (visual/emotional)
Repetition + attention
Studying is often passive
Which food invention came 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th: American hot dog, pizza, hamburger, ice cream
Ice cream- 1600s-1700s and even earlier in Persia
Pizza- 1700s–1800s in Naples
American hot dog- 1860s to 1870s in NY
Hamburger- 1880s to 1900s in the US
A student freezes in the middle of an exam.
What is happening in their brain that makes them “go blank”?
Stress blocks memory retrieval
Brain shifts to survival mode (fight/flight)