The Power of Neuroplasticity and the Research on the Brainology

Adolescents are not easy to describe due to their complete unpredictability. They are all raised completely different, allowing them to make the life they want. Very few believe that the sky is the limit, most only think of the bare minimum. Brainology shows us many examples that, that isn’t true. Our only limitations are when we deprive ourselves from the growth we are capable of. Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity goes well with brainology but has the ability to change the brain continuously throughout an individual's life. Through the application of neuroplasticity, it has been proven that it is possible for students to be happy, successful, and healthy.

"Brainology" written by Carol S. Dweck, is an article that goes in depth about the research of certain mindsets in our brains and how they affect our educational abilities. Students should not be praised for how smart they are because it actually inhibits their learning abilities if the face challenges. There are two kinds of mindsets: Fixed mindset and Growth mindset. "A fixed mindset makes challenges threatening for students (because they believe that their fixed ability may not be up to the task) and it makes mistakes and failures demoralizing (because they believe that such setbacks reflect badly on their level of fixed intelligence" (Dweck). While with a growth mindset she says "With a growth mindset, kids don't necessarily think that there's no such thing as talent or that everyone is the same, but they believe everyone can develop their abilities through hard work, strategies, and lots of help and mentoring from others" (Dweck). Students have the power to have a growth mindset, but some think it’s impossible they believe the other student who do well on test and homework are just smart or its given to them. This research people have performed is now able to show students that work hard and stay determined they are capable of accomplishing whatever it is they desire in school but also for the rest of their life’s.

The term ‘neuroplasticity’ refers to the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. Neurons, according to Richard Griggs are "responsible for information transmission throughout the nervous system. They receive, send, and integrate information within the brain and the rest of the nervous system (Griggs 41)." Neurons have three main components to them: the dendrites, the cell body, and the axon. Neuroplasticity is the concept that the brain is permeable enough to strongly influence mindsets and behaviors. In brief description, The dendrites receive information, the cell body chooses whether it should be passed along or not, and then the axon passes on that information to the next set of neurons that it needs to be given to. All of which work together to create this chemical transmission of messages which, in the end, result in our mindsets and behaviors.

Though the thought of neuroplasticity is usually related with the ability for a person to either break or form a habit, it can also be connected with being happy, successful, and healthy. From a different standpoint. Working out has only recently begun to get the attention of the scientific community "with major interest in its effects on the cognitive functions, spatial learning and memory, as a non-drug method of maintaining brain health and treating neurodegenerative and/or psychiatric conditions"(Casilhas). For students to stay healthy is very important but little do they know that exercise increases the brain's volume of gray matter. Through amplified blood flow to the brain, physical exercise activates biochemical modifications that spur neuroplasticity, the construction of fresh connections among neurons and even of neurons themselves.

Neuroplasticity plays a huge factor in student’s behaviors. People need to figure out the difference of a happy moment through the day or overall happiness. "If you take care of the minutes, the years will take care of themselves" (Hanson). Rick Hanson is a psychologist and has written and educated people about the essential of their inner skills of personal well-being, psychological growth, and contemplative practice. Hanson also is a huge advocate in preaching Neuroplasticity. He tells others how and why the brain had "negative bias" on yourself, but then he teaches one how to use neuropath ways to create a positive and happy lifestyle. When students are happy they release endorphins, dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin. While happier students tend to have a clear mind and can obtain more information and learn more. Happiness doesn't cause students to earn higher grades, 'Some students could be unhappy and still do well but, if you're happy you're more likely to do well" (Jones). Student that do well in school will be as prepared as possible to get a career. With that they are "taking care" of the minutes, so the years that are upon them will take care of themselves.

People think of success in many different ways getting a job, passing a class, buying a house, etc. But how do they because successful? There are five steps that helps becoming a successful human. Those steps include, engaging in brain aerobics, finding fresh ideas, envision the person they want to become, focus on your long-term goals, and shift to an exponential mindset. Engaging in brain aerobics is very important for students but every age should partake in them. It can be as simple as doing crossword puzzles, playing chess, or any activity that will boost thinking. Even taking as little as fifteen minutes a day thinking can help a person be successful. Finding fresh ideas makes someone constantly learn which associates to personal growth that will teach your mind the center it needs to be able to function well regardless of the abundant tasks you partake on your to-do list. According to Jack Welch, success is all about "growing yourself, so don’t settle on what you know and what you have. Find opportunities to improve and develop new skills, and prepare to go further in life." John Francis 'Jack' Welch Jr. is an American business executive, author, and chemical engineer. He was chairman and CEO of General Electric between 1981 and 2001.

During his tenure at GE, the company's value rose 4,000%. This man was extremely successful and whether he knew it or not took day by day with neuroplasticity. Envision the person you want to become, imagining success empowers someone to work near their goals even on days that they feel low. Focus on long-term goals, the reason why there are people who don’t succeed is since they fail to establish a tangible long-term goal. If a person doesn’t have something took look forward to like buying their own home one day or even graduation college, life may seem worthless no matter what you do. If a student trains their mind to always get ahead by getting excited for what the future holds they may stick to their game plan instead of being unclear in their action and choices. Shift to an exponential mindset, numerous people don’t know that altering one’s mindset could lead to significant growth. This type of mind set takes thinking to the next level as it desires for greater things. A person will forestall faster growth because they can already tell it coming, even the disappointments, they reflect them part of the balance but you continuously end up being ten times ahead preparing for whatever they have to deal with in the future, may it be positive or not.