Do you use your hands to write when studying or brainstorming ideas?
Having taught at a cram school for about 15 years, I’ve observed a common trait among students whose grades improve: they write.
Whether it’s memorizing characters and vocabulary or solving math problems, students who actively write tend to score higher.
I believe there are several reasons for this:
- Getting Used to Writing
With the development of digital devices, opportunities to write by hand have significantly decreased compared to 20 years ago.
The decline in letter writing is a prime example of this.
Children, in particular, have far fewer chances to write than before.
As a result, they often find writing tedious and tend to avoid it, which contributes to a decline in academic performance.
On the other hand, students who study by writing consistently show clear improvements in their grades.
- Writing as “Muscle Memory”
Trying to memorize while physically moving the body activates the brain.
Studying by simply looking or glancing at information does not engage muscle memory, so the brain remains inactive, leading to lower memory retention.
This, in turn, results in lower grades and less motivation to study, creating a vicious cycle.
- Writing Organizes Your Thoughts
When solving math problems, students who don’t use their hands to write down their thoughts rarely reach the correct answer.
Writing allows you to visualize your thinking process, enabling you to analyze problems from different angles.
If you don’t write when tackling a math problem, it’s like not even standing at the starting line—naturally, you won’t score well.
For these reasons, writing is an incredibly valuable activity.
When I need to organize my thoughts or come up with new ideas, I always write them down by hand in a notebook.
While digital tools are highly convenient for managing schedules, they are not as effective when it comes to deep thinking.
Unlike digital tools, which present information in a neatly structured format from the start, a blank notebook allows you to freely jot down ideas as they come to mind, helping you bring your thoughts to life.
Once your ideas take shape and need refining, digital tools can then be very useful.
Therefore, it’s crucial to be mindful of how children use digital devices.
For young children up to around the age of 12, it’s best to limit digital usage as much as possible or impose strict time limits.
During adolescence (ages 13 to 18), when cognitive development is accelerating, neglecting writing can significantly impact brain development.
I believe that where many people find things “too much trouble” lies a hidden opportunity.
Writing may seem tedious, but continuing this habit will bring great benefits in the long run.
So, why not start by using your hands to write today?