EXAM SPECIAL: The role of physical environment

Most of us usually study sitting in a particular favourite room in our house. The chances of us using this room since our childhood are very high because of our comfort factor and emotional attachment to the room. We also feel quite enthusiastic to study/revise sitting in that room and are also able to recall anything studied or read while being in that room.

Students, is this a curse or benefit to you?

If you think it is a benefit, you are wrong, it is actually a curse, which can diminish or restrict your ability to learn and recall, not because of your weak memory power, but because of the comfort of your physical environment.

I am sure, most of you have had the experience of not able to recall what you studied a day before, the moment you entered the examination hall. Do you know why?

This usually happens because when we are in our favourite room, our brain gets accustomed to the environment enjoying the physical features of the room, for example, it can be the soft cushion of your armchair, the ticking sound of your wall clock, photo of your favourite actor pasted on the door of your wardrobe etc. These familiar features creates a very pleasant environment for your brain not only to relax but also to strengthen your ability to grasp the study materials. However, the examination hall or any other place is devoid of all these physical features and this can make your brain uncomfortable, impacting your ability to recall whatever you have studied.

The only solution to this problem is to study or revise by being in different physical environment. This will not only push your brain to move out of its comfort zone but also steadily help you to study and recall your study materials wherever you are, without craving for the comforts of your favourite cosy room.

I know its is tough to move out of your comfort zone, but trust me, it’s worth the effort.

– Prakash Prabhu
[ Mr.Prakash Prabhu works for The Manipal Group as a Senior HR Manager with over 15 years of corporate experience. He has been the lead writer and contributor to CHIRP magazine.(An intra-Manipal group monthly employee magazine) An avid reader who devours one book after another, Mr.Prabhu is also a certified handwriting analyst.]