There are four basic states of mind and each has a
different brain wave pattern. An understanding of different brain wave pattern
can help us in managing studies more effectively.
Beta waves are
indicative of the state of mind we normally associate with being awake and
functioning in our lives-communicating with others; walking or driving or
otherwise moving about with purpose; analyzing, planning, and performing daily
tasks.
This is the
state in which we spend most of our lives. In this state we ”get through” the
day and accumulate achievements and a lot of stress. Our attention is
constantly changing from one matter to another and back again. Our energy and
focus is very fragmented as we try to deal with the thousands of things competing
for our attention.
This state is
vital if we are to function in our complex world, but it is not good state to
be in when trying to concentrate on our studies. Yet it is the state of mind
that most people are in when they sit down to do school work - and they do not
try to change that state.
Theta
waves are most evident when we are
just about to drop off to sleep. They are also common in certain kinds of deep
meditation.
Delta
waves are the “slowest” of the brain
waves. These waves are what a scanner would pick up when you are in a very deep
sleep. And believe it or not, what happens during your sleeping state has
important implications for how you plan your studying and how much you should
study at one time.
Finally, alpha
waves show up when you are fully awake, but in a very relaxed state -
almost what could be called “alert meditation.” There is very little stress in
this state. The links between the various parts of your brain are clearest in
this state, and your higher brain has its greatest access to other areas.
In this state of mind, you will experience the fastest understanding of
information and the kind of inspiration that comes with letting your
imagination help you connect things that never got connected before (realizing
for the first time how similar the patterns of mathematics, music, and chess
are, for example). There is also, in this state, the greatest likelihood that
the information will find its way into long-term memory. Obviously, the state
of mind that has a lot of alpha waves is where you want to be for optimum study
performance.
When it comes to studying, it is important to get your brain on the
right “wave length.” Trying to study when you are in the everyday state of mind
(typical of that dominated by beta waves) is very inefficient. You are fighting
with many more enemies than just your textbooks.
