Why Don’t Students Like School? Summary

Why is school so often the last place students want to be? Understanding the mechanics of memory and learning might just have the answer.

1. Brains Naturally Avoid Thinking

The human brain is wired to conserve energy, making intense cognitive thinking something it tries to avoid. Historically, this was an evolutionary benefit, preserving energy for survival-related tasks. Solving complex problems or reading dense materials can be physically draining for the brain, which is why it resists these activities unless absolutely necessary.

Instead of thinking, our brain excels at pattern recognition. This ability allows us to quickly interpret situations without relying on energy-intensive thought processes. For example, our ancestors could recognize dangerous animals based on subtle visual cues rather than consciously analyzing every situation. In modern life, this helps us navigate familiar tasks like finding a familiar brand in a grocery store.

That said, while pattern recognition offers efficiency, it doesn’t replace higher-level thinking’s benefits. In education, this can mean students avoiding challenging tasks like advanced problem-solving unless educators find ways to make these activities more engaging and contextually relevant.

Examples

• Babies learn language by instinctively picking up patterns, like associating specific sounds with objects or people.
• Pattern recognition helps us quickly locate a restaurant amidst a busy street, saving cognitive effort.
• Computers excel at math faster than humans, but no robot can yet instinctively cross a rocky trail like a human, a task handled by innate pattern recognition.

2. Two Types of Memory Drive Learning

Human memory operates through two systems – working memory and long-term memory. Working memory handles what’s happening right now; for example, memorizing a phone number long enough to dial it. It’s quick but limited in capacity, becoming overwhelmed with more than about seven items at once.

Long-term memory, on the other hand, works like a vast storage system, housing knowledge and experiences we’ve deemed important enough to hold onto. This stored information doesn’t always stay top of mind but can be recalled when needed. The more this memory is filled with meaningful connections, the easier learning becomes.

Connecting these two systems is vital for education. Information must move from short-term to long-term memory, where it can be accessed to help with more complex reasoning and decision-making. Teachers need strategies that encourage this transfer, such as repetition and linking knowledge to relevant contexts.

Examples

• Long-term memory is why you can instantly recall that bananas are yellow, without needing to consciously think about it.
• Working memory acts like mental scratch paper: remember a math problem while solving it, but then forget it quickly.
• Early computers modeled human memory, separating short-term ‘RAM’ from long-term ‘hard drives.’

3. Context Matters for Learning

“Cold” learning, where new material is presented without context, is much harder for the brain to process and retain. Instead, prior knowledge and familiarity play a large role in determining how well new information sticks. Contextual learning helps the brain organize and connect material meaningfully.

For example, learning a language closely related to one you already know, such as Spanish for a Portuguese speaker, is easier compared to learning a vastly different language like Chinese. This is because the shared linguistic patterns and structures provide a mental scaffolding, making connections easier.

In school, this means teachers must ensure students have foundational knowledge before introducing complex ideas. Using concrete examples also helps by tying abstract concepts to real-world experiences, making lessons more relatable and memorable.

Examples

• Explaining Newton's laws using a real-world example like cars braking on ice helps students understand physics concepts.
• Before teaching geometry, it's beneficial to establish basic multiplication skills and shapes.
• Lack of context is why following instructions for an unfamiliar appliance (like a washing machine) can feel so confusing.

4. Fact-Based Knowledge Enables Complex Thinking

Before critical thinking can occur, a base of factual knowledge needs to be in place. Facts serve as building blocks, letting students engage with larger abstract concepts and higher-order reasoning. Without these foundational elements, asking students to analyze or evaluate becomes like climbing a mountain without equipment.

One way to manage this is through "chunking" – grouping related pieces of information into understandable units. This makes learning faster and easier by compressing the information our working memory has to process. For instance, remembering the letters "O C G N I T I O N" as the word "cognition" is much simpler.

Repetition and memorization may seem dull, but they’re tried-and-true ways of embedding facts into long-term memory. Once those facts become automatic, students free up their working memory for more challenging tasks, such as problem-solving.

Examples

• A musician memorizes scales so they can later improvise without actively thinking about individual notes.
• Memorizing historical dates allows students to piece together and analyze events over time.
• Multiplication must be automatic before solving algebraic equations can become second nature.

5. Learning Styles Are a Myth

Forget what you’ve heard about being a “visual” or “auditory” learner. Research shows these supposed learning styles have little bearing on how well students retain information. It’s not the input method but the material's meaning that counts.

The misconception that students learn best through their preferred method has led schools to implement mismatched and ineffective teaching strategies, wasting valuable time and energy. Instead, teachers should focus on ensuring the material itself is clear and meaningful, no matter what medium delivers it.

This doesn’t mean every child learns in exactly the same way. It just means that the input method – whether visual, auditory, or tactile – matters far less than previously believed. Engaging lessons tailored to good content remain most important.

Examples

• Flashy smartboards are ineffective if students don’t understand the concept being taught.
• Real-world examples of friction teach physics far better than colorful animation alone.
• The meaning behind a story matters far more than whether it’s read or heard as an audiobook.

6. Intelligence Is Not Fixed

For decades, intelligence was seen as a fixed attribute determined at birth. But research now shows that intelligence is dynamic, influenced more by environmental factors than genes. This means students’ abilities can grow with effort and the right support.

The Flynn effect highlights this shift, showing steady IQ increases across generations due to better environments – think education, nutrition, and access to information. Teachers can use this knowledge to foster growth mindsets, encouraging students to believe in their ability to improve.

This idea is empowering. With the right training and perseverance, students often exceed their perceived limits, whether by mastering new skills or raising their cognitive abilities.

Examples

• Dutch military recruits gained an average of 21 IQ points from 1952-1982, thanks to societal improvements.
• Amputees develop new skills with their non-dominant hand, proving adaptability with practice.
• Students who think they’re “bad at math” can often excel when taught in a supportive environment.

7. Learning Requires Practice

Teaching isn’t just about sharing knowledge; it’s also a skill that teachers themselves must practice and refine. Just as students learn by doing, educators improve by getting feedback and continuously developing their teaching methods.

Unfortunately, many teachers plateau after their initial years, coasting on established routines. To avoid stagnation, teachers must seek feedback from peers, try new strategies, and reflect on their methods. Video recordings of lessons can be especially helpful in identifying overlooked areas for improvement.

An active teaching culture where professional growth is encouraged benefits teachers and students alike. With better pedagogy and content delivery, classrooms become places where learning thrives.

Examples

• New teachers improve most in their first two years, then show little progress without feedback.
• Filming lessons allows teachers to pinpoint blind spots in their delivery.
• Constantly rethinking and adapting lesson plans can keep students engaged and teachers motivated.

8. Repetition Embeds Knowledge

Rote learning might not be fun, but it’s effective. Repetition is one of the best ways to ensure knowledge moves from short-term to long-term memory. Over time, this repeated exposure builds familiarity and ease.

Automating basic knowledge frees up mental capacity for more complex tasks. For example, once students memorize their multiplication tables, solving higher math problems becomes easier and faster.

Structured repetition ensures students don’t merely cram but actually retain material well beyond their test dates for future use.

Examples

• Students in music perform better after practicing scales repeatedly.
• Athletes perfect basic moves so they can combine them seamlessly during gameplay.
• Language learners must practice vocabulary daily to become fluent.

9. Real-World Examples Help Cement Learning

Concrete examples make abstract ideas stick. Students relate better to lessons that tie directly to familiar experiences. Rather than presenting topics in abstract ways, educators can ground subjects in practical, everyday applications.

Connecting new material to the familiar ensures students internalize ideas more effectively. Plus, it keeps them engaged since they see why the material matters.

Examples personalized to students’ interests or daily lives create deeper connections, enhancing both focus and retention.

Examples

• Teaching geometry through model homes helps students visualize shapes more clearly.
• Science lessons about food chains come alive with real-life predator-prey analogies.
• Calculating basketball statistics makes math meaningful for sports-enthusiastic learners.

Takeaways

1. Encourage effort in children by showing them that intelligence is flexible and can increase with practice.
2. Focus on repetition and real-world connections when teaching new material to promote better retention.
3. Teachers should seek feedback and continually assess their methods to ensure they’re growing alongside their students.