Brain Hacks
Which is more effective in terms recalling information:
1) 5 hours of studying in one sitting
2) Studying for 30 minutes daily
Studying for 30 minutes daily
What is the capital of Portugal?
Lisbon
How many hours of sleep should most teenagers get?
8–10 hours
What animal has the strongest bite force on Earth?
Saltwater crocodile
Name one physical sign of stress
Sweating, headache, stomachache, shaking, etc
True or False: Listening to music with lyrics while studying always improves focus.
False
What is the longest river in the world?
Nile River (6,650 Km)
Amazon River (6,400 Km)
True or False: Highlighting everything in your notes is an effective strategy.
False
What percentage of Egypt’s land is a desert?
95%
True or False: Feeling stressed has no benefits.
False
A small amount of stress can actually help your body and mind stay alert and ready to respond. A bit of stress before an exam can improve concentration and motivate you to prepare, while also sharpening attention during the task itself.
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 largest organ in the human body?
Skin is the largest organ in the human body, accounting for around 16% of total body mass
What is one reason students lose marks even when they studied?
Misreading questions / rushing
What language has the most NATIVE speakers in the world?
Mandarin Chinese, with over 900 million native speakers.
English is the most spoken language in the world when counting both native and non-native speakers, with approximately 1.5 billion speakers.
What are 3 healthy ways to calm yourself before a test?
Eat a quick snack (e.g., Nuts) (Avoid sugary food!!!)
Take deep breaths
Think positive thoughts "I'm prepared"
Review short notes instead of cramming
Get to class early and settle down
Avoid discussing answers with stressed classmates right before the test
What are four healthy ways to take a study break when you start losing focus?
Physical Movement: Stretch, or go for a walk
Change Your Environment: Get some fresh air, go to a different room, or spend time in nature.
Engage in Low-Effort Hobbies: drawing, doodling, listening to music
Socialize: Call a friend, chat with a family member
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
Your friend says, “I can only study when I feel motivated.” What advice would you give?
Build routine and discipline, not only motivation
About how many neurons (brain cells) does the human brain have?
Around 86 billion
Name 5 habits that can make stress worse during exam week
Staying up too late studying
Leaving revision until the last minute
Comparing yourself to others
Not sleeping enough
Overthinking mistakes
Negative self-talk
Not asking for help when needed
A student says, “I studied everything but remember nothing during the exam.” Name two possible reasons.
Stress, lack of sleep, passive studying, cramming
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.
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
Which food invention came 1st, 2nd, and 3rd: American hot dog, hamburger, ice cream
Ice cream- 1600s-1700s and even earlier in Persia
American hot dog- 1860s to 1870s in NY
Hamburger- 1880s to 1900s in the US
A student freezes during an exam and wants to give up. What are two things they should do immediately?
Skip the difficult question and start with an easier one
Break the question into smaller parts
Reread and underline key words.
Use positive self-talk (e.g., “I can try one step at a time", "what would Ms.-- say if she had this questions?”)