Cognitive Wellbeing Community Post

#1. Why is online gaming so popular? Are there drawbacks to being engaged in these activities? Do you think they offer opportunities for learning or are they just passive pastimes?
I think online gaming is very popular because it gives some people a sense of community. It can improve teamwork skills and goal-oriented skills ("leveling-up"). I think they can also allow people to learn about their strengths and weaknesses in their problem-solving skills and how well they work with others.
However, one drawback to online gaming is that it replaces in-person human interaction with virtual human interactions (although that may not be so bad in today's world of recommended "social distancing")

#2. How do you manage your study schedule when faced with doubt about your capacity to engage, learn, and succeed?
I try to keep weekly written To Do lists to keep track of all of the things I need to get down. As I finish the tasks, I cross them off, which gives me a sense of accomplishment. I also keep a detailed calendar in my phone so that I have a visual representation of the things I have scheduled. I will also set up a reward system for myself where I will not do something enjoyable until I finish a task. This motivates me to keep working.

#3. What do you do to help yourself remember new things? For example, do you create concept maps to link connected ideas? Share some of your ideas.
I do not create concept maps, but I often take notes in Outline forms to organize thoughts from bigger-picture to smaller-picture. I also use mnemonics and songs to memorize certain facts. For example, I memorized the US Presidents to the tune of a song in 5th grade, which I remember to this day. I also try to apply logic to facts so that the facts "make sense" to me and linking new knowledge to prior knowledge, therefore making it easier to memorize.