Category → Lifelong Learning
UT system offers new dual degree
Many individuals want to pursue a higher education to ensure that they are qualified for their dream job. However, some people may not have all the time necessary that is needed for more advanced degrees. In an effort to help people in similar situations, more schools are offering dual degree programs that will help save time.
The University of Tennessee (UT) system is one of the newest schools to introduce such a program. UT Knoxville's College of Business Administration and the UT Health Science Center (UTHSC) announced that they would be offering a degree program that will allow students to pursue a doctor of pharmacy and a master of business administration (MBA) at the same time.
School officials said that this program was created in order to help students interested in the medical field boost their qualifications.
"Change is one thing that most people can agree upon regarding health care," said Peter Chyka, professor and executive associate dean at UTHSC. "This program can develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of a well-educated and informed pharmacist who can provide the business leadership and insight to develop and measure the many aspects of health care as they relate to the safe and effective use of medications."
However, pursuing certification of any kind can be stressful for students, which is why those in more complex programs such as a degree may want to consider studying meditation techniques for stress. This practice could be a way to ensure that students have the capacity to take a step back and focus on their studies while not feeling overwhelmed. Meditation techniques are a great way to calm the brain.
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KVCC makes dreams of pursuing an education possible
There have been numerous inspirational stories about commitment to education, but some individuals unfortunately do not have the flexible schedule that allows them to go back to school and better themselves. This is why certain institutions are stepping in to offer more flexibility when it comes to signing up for a full curriculum.
For example, Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) announced that it will expand its reach through a new associate's degree program that includes a mixture of online and in-classroom courses, according to the Morning Sentinel. Most of the coursework will be access through the internet, leaving students to take the rest of their courses on Saturdays, which will hopefully limit the amount of time they spend commuting to the school.
"The majority of the classwork will be online, so people are not traveling a lot, but they are coming occasionally and getting a sense that they are a member of a class and that we are here as resources for them," Martha Naber, the education program coordinator at KVCC, told the news provider.
Enrolling in a higher education is continuing to grow in popularity as many people are trying to make ends meet during a tight economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals who earned an associate's degree earned $55 more per week on average than those who had never completed their course of study. Although a higher education is important, many students can sometimes feel overwhelmed. People who are trying to balance school and work may want to practice meditation techniques for stress, as they could help those who feel as though they have too much on their plate.
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Air pollution may limit brain potential
The natural world holds tremendous beauty. That is why author and philosopher Ilchi Lee chose to relocate to Sedona, Arizona, where a person can freely move about in nature. However, many people do not have the option to spend much time in a green environment, and new research suggests that this could have a negative impact on their mental health.
Researchers from Ohio State University found that mice that were exposed to high levels of environmental air pollution were significantly more likely to develop memory and learning problems and depression. The findings show that spending too much time in the city may limit an individual's brain potential.
"This could have important and troubling implications for people who live and work in polluted urban areas around the world," said Laura Fronken, who led the study.
She added that the particles in air pollution appear to cause inflammation. This may damage brain tissue, leading to cognitive impairment.
Lee says that for an individual to reach their brain potential they must live a balanced life. This may include periodically getting out of the city and spending more time in natural settings.
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Thoughts influence perception, study finds
It has long been said that a person’s view of the world around them colors their perception, and a new study published in the journal Psychological Science confirms this notion. The findings suggest that a person’s happiness in their life is only limited by their brain potential.
Researchers from the University of New South Wales started by asking participants to visualize a particular image – a colored shape with a pattern on it. The team then showed participants two different images at once, one of which was the image the participants were previously asked to visualize.
The results showed that participants who visualized the initial image with the greatest ease perceived that particular image more dominantly than the other. The researchers said that this shows how strongly a person’s thoughts can influence their perception of the world around them.
"Our ability to consciously experience the world around us has been dubbed one of the most amazing yet enigmatic processes under scientific investigation today,” said Joel Pearson, who led the study. “If we stop for a moment and think about it, our ability to imagine the world around us in the absence of stimulation from that world is perhaps even more amazing."
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Researchers uncover best way to learn
While many people believe that the best way to learn something is to cram as much information into their brains as quickly as possible, a new study suggests that spreading the learning process out over time may be a much more effective approach.
The RIKEN Brain Science Institute researchers who conducted the study said that this makes sense. It has long been known that when, for example, a college student spends a full night cramming for a test, they do not learn the information as thoroughly as their classmates who have spent an entire semester with the material.
This is because when a person interacts with information over an extended period of time, their short-term memories of the subject become consolidated into more permanent memories. In the new study, the team discovered the biological and molecular process that may underlie this type of learning.
These types of findings help underscore what Ilchi Lee says about learning and the role that Brain Education can play. This technique helps individuals clear their minds and get the most out of their brain while making use of important neuroscientific findings.
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Stressed searchers miss many objects
Stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on an individual’s brain potential and change the way they perceive the world. Ilchi Lee says that meditation and other forms of relaxing mental exercise may play an important role in people’s ability to get the most out of their brain power.
These types of techniques are even more important in light of a new set of findings from Duke University researchers. The team discovered that when a person is feeling anxious or stressed while they are looking for something, they are much more likely to miss the object they were searching for.
The researchers said that their findings have important implications for the way people are trained, particularly in important instances such as search and rescue of missing persons. Channeling and reducing stress in these situations may lead to better outcomes.
The results of the study confirm what Ilchi Lee says about the negative effects of stress and anxiety on the brain. He has long recommended meditation as a way to curb these unhealthy feelings and push brain potential to its fullest.
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A good night’s sleep is key to unlocking brain’s potential
Ilchi Lee says that brain potential is nearly limitless. However, this does not necessarily mean that everyone’s mind is automatically engaged to its fullest. There are certain things that a person must do to get the most out of their brain.
For example, a recent study from the University of Washington in St. Louis found that students perform better on tests after they have had a full night’s sleep.
For the study, researchers had a group of students take an exam after they were kept awake for the preceding 12 hours or were allowed to sleep. The results showed that those who were well rested before taking the test performed significantly better.
The study could have important implications for students at all levels of schooling, but particularly those in college, where the pressure to perform is often greater. The findings suggest that simply getting a good night’s sleep may be all that is required to perform to the best of one’s potential.
The findings support much of what Ilchi Lee says about the mind’s potential.
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More individuals seeking brain potential with new hybrid degree
Many people want to increase their brain potential by enrolling in a higher degree program. Not only will this boost their chances of finding a job, but they will also learn new thinking skills that are sure to help them throughout life. As a result of this popularity, more schools are offering options to meet a variety of students' needs.
Western Michigan University is seeing a lot of interest in its new hybrid online master's degree program in adapted physical education. Part of the reason for the high amount of interest is the free tuition thanks to a $1.18 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Schools officials say that this kind of degree is important in order to create quality physical education staff members in the American school system.
"It helps children grow," said Jiabei Zhang, who directs the program. "Children are undergoing a rapid rate of development and they need multiple ways to facilitate that development. Physical activity is one of the major tools to help them to grow. It not only helps them improve their physical fitness and motor skills, it helps improve their cognitive function and facilitates the development of their emotions."
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New nursing program could help students boost their brain potential
People who enroll into college may want to practice Ilchi Lee's brain education, as they will need a sense of self-disciple to succeed in their studies. This is especially true for students who are pursuing a rigorous course such as nursing.
The Louisiana State Board of Nursing announced that it has initially approved Loyola University New Orleans' new doctorate of nursing program (DNP). As a result of the acceptance, the school will be working on preparing for early enrollment in the coming months.
The goal behind this program is to create education opportunities for people who have already at least a bachelor's degree in nursing.
"Nurse practitioner education is evolving and offering this new course of training is the next step in that process," said assistant professor of nursing Gwen George. "Nurses who already have their bachelor’s degree and want to become a family nurse practitioner can receive their DNP by completing this three-year program and then be eligible for certification."
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Maintaining health for seniors may be a matter of engaging in an active social life
Ilchi Lee says that health is one of the most valuable things a person has and should be guarded at all costs. However, despite this importance, many people begin to let their physical and mental condition start to slip as they get older, chalking the changes up to aspects of the natural aging process.
However, this does not have to be the case. Experts say that seniors can involve themselves in many activities that help stimulate brain health and keep their bodies physically active. For example, a recent study out of the University of Southern California found that engaging in meaningful activities helps seniors maintain both physical and mental fitness.
These types of activities can include anything from visiting a museum with friends to taking a walk in the park. The researchers said that engaging in these activities could have important health benefits for seniors.
"Although people are living longer, it is important that they also live better. This intervention results in improved quality of life and provides a vehicle for maintaining health as we age," said Florence Clark, who led the investigation.
