Playing video games can get in the way of effective learning. Lots of people repeat and hear this phrase quite often. But in reality, video games can help you acquire and improve a wide variety of skills and become a more successful student. Even Albert Einstein once noted that play is the highest form of research and thus emphasised the often underestimated power of gaming and its role in the knowledge acquisition process. And today play happens in video games that have become more fun, sophisticated, and visually appealing.
Too much gaming can indisputably take a toll on learners’ cognitive abilities, emotional state, and academic performance. Still, people with healthy video gaming habits have higher chances of becoming more efficient learners. Why? Go on reading today’s article which was kindly provided by HQ-Essay.com, a custom writing academic service, to learn more.
Things video games can teach us
It’s not a secret anymore that games can boost your cognitive abilities, fuel motivation, encourage you to explore your emotions and use them in a positive way, improve your communication and social skills, and much more. It’s also worth noting that playing enables you to extrapolate your skills learned during the gaming process and develop critical thinking skills.
Playing video games can also go a long way in improving logical thinking. For example, your favourite shooters might be effective in improving spatial thinking and math skills. Side-scrolling games like the legendary Mario can help you relax after a long studying session or warm up before finally getting down to your research paper.
What’s also very important for learners is that video games can teach players not to keep on trying and persevere instead of succumbing to frustration after experiencing failure. Thus, players learn to focus on the bright side, embrace their imperfections, cultivate confidence, and start to develop a growth mindset.
It’s also not a secret that modern gaming is conducive to forming new connections and relationships. Some titles are specifically designed to encourage cooperation and teamwork, which help gamers become more open to communication, collaboration, and social interaction.
How to make the most of gaming
Now that you know how gaming can help you improve your learning skills, your first intention might be firing up your favourite jump and run or beat-‘em-up game and diving headfirst into exciting adventures. But how to ensure you won’t be lost to the world for hours and your studies won’t suffer from your binge-playing? Well, there are some simple tips that might come in handy.
1 – Set a timer
Remember that everything is in moderation. If you’re not sure you can stop playing and get back to reality, set a timer! Its beeping will wake you up to your current tasks and chores and encourage you to do away with your virtual life.
2 – Play as a reward
Make it your rule to play games only after accomplishing some important tasks on your to-do list. Take gaming as a treat. And once you develop this healthy habit, you won’t be tempted to spend long hours on your phone helping characters complete their mission while yours is left unattended.
3 – Don’t be afraid to be choosey
Never play or choose video games indiscriminately. Prior to buying a new much-hyped game, make sure its genre, graphics, and overall stylistics suit your taste. You also might want to do some research to find the best games by checking out game reviews and see what people say about them in terms of their educational and entertaining potential.
4 – Don’t sacrifice your sleep
A good night’s sleep is everything for people who are studying actively. Failure to build a consistent and healthy bedtime routine can result in a bunch of unwanted problems that will get in the way of your physical and mental wellbeing. So, the last thing you want is to play video games at nighttime and sacrifice your sleep.
5 – Mix in something active
A sedentary lifestyle is hard to escape in the 21st century. Lectures, exams, and studying sessions are tiresome per se. And playing games can increase your risk of developing dangerous symptoms provoked by physical inactivity. So, it would be a great idea to take breaks from gaming and switch to some light physical activities.
You can take a walk around your campus, go jogging for 15 minutes, or just stretch. This will undoubtedly help you maximize the beneficial effects of gaming and help you recharge your internal batteries. There are also some games that encourage physical activity too, this activity is known as exergaming.
And there you have it, a few of the benefits of playing video games, and how you can avoid letting them interact too much with your studies. If you have any tips of your own, be sure to let us know in the comments below.
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