Motivation = Better Learning = Better Memory

Curiosity = Motivation = Better Memory = Passing the FE Exam

I see it time and time again. Students who are genuinely curious about learning are often better prepared than those who approach studying without curiosity. At its core, a lack of motivation is strongly linked to poor retention.

Research continues to show that curiosity and motivation activate the brain’s dopaminergic system. This means that when you’re in a motivated state, your Brain’s Reward System is triggered. So when you encounter a difficult practice problem, your brain releases dopamine which makes you eager to ask questions and seek a solution (while embracing the struggle).

Here’s the big problem: Curiosity develops naturally, but most of us lose it over time. So what if you’re not curious about solving that next practice problem? The good news is that you can train yourself to become curious and motivated to make your FE prep more engaging.

Some tips for you:

✔ Ask more questions. Instead of just memorizing steps, ask “why” and “how” when studying.

→ Why does pressure drop when velocity increases?

→ How does a pinned connection work?

✔ Surround yourself with curious people. Especially your tutor or instructor! Curiosity is contagious.

✔ Challenge yourself with “What If” questions.

→ What happens when I change this variable?

→ What if we replace this pipe with a different material?

✔ Engage in active problem-solving! Instead of just watching videos or reading solutions, “play” around with the concepts when solving problems on your own.

✔ Make studying a game (Use the Directhub timer in my course!)

→ Set a timer challenge and see if you can solve a problem faster than before.

→ Try solving without looking at formulas and derive them from scratch.