Assignment requirements: Answer 1 of the following 4questions in as much detail as possible using specific examples and definitions. Be sure to justify your responses with information from class or from the text. Please be sure your answer is no less than 1 full page and no more than 2 full pages of double-spaced type-written text. If you choose to complete this assignment it must be emailed to me before the beginning of class on February 1st.

1. Want to know more about how stress effects the brain? Read Stress and the Brain, a Brain Briefing published by the Society for Neuroscience. After reading the article, try and follow the advice - what are ways that you can reduce stress in your life? Write a summary of the article, integrating ways that you think you can change your current stress levels and determine how that will influence the impact of stress on both your brain and memory.
   
   
2. Is the brain like a muscle? Does the Use it or Lose it phenomenon apply? Read the article Brain Workouts, a Brain Briefing published by the Society for Neuroscience. In addition to elaborative rehearsal, what can you (or are you currently) doing to help your brain best its best for old age? Think about activities, interests, etc. that relate to the concepts discussed in the article and determine whether you are 'working out' your brain.
   
   
3. Need to hear more about why you really should sleep for 8 hours a night?? Read Sleep and Learning, a Brain Briefing published by the Society for Neuroscience. After reading the article determine habits you can put in place that will help you achieve 7-8 hours of sleep each night and discuss how that will help you intellectually, personally and physically.
   
   
4. Improve your study skills, read Learning and Remembering Information, from the University of Wisconsin. After reading the material provided apply it to your study skills, our class or your overall learning this semester. How can you better implement these strategies? Do you use any now? Why do you think they would/might help?