Long gone are the days when playing games was considered a mere pastime unrelated to learning. More and more studies show that thought-provoking games can be immensely beneficial for boosting cognitive abilities and general well-being. Forward-looking universities are gradually incorporating interactive games in their curriculums to supplement learning. What’s more, games are thought to greatly enhance children’s communication skills. This, of course, if they don’t go overboard with playing.
We take a look at the most fascinating ways in which playing games can enrich a student’s life and why it can often prove even more worthwhile than traditional studying. Let’s dive right in!
Boosted Memory
If you’ve ever played games like Fortnite or League of Legends, you’d notice how much concentration you need to keep track of myriad immersive data to outsmart the enemy. When playing, you’re completely immersed in the virtual world, never allowing inattention to ruin your plans. In neurological terms, this occurs because sophisticated games have an innate power to engage the brain’s hippocampus area, which has a decisive role in guiding learning and memory.
Concentration and memory are the two most essential skills for guaranteeing success in almost any endeavor. Whether you need to sharpen your writing skills by consulting the best essay writing services or prepare for a crucial exam, keeping these two sharp should be your top priority. If you can incorporate refined games into your daily activities while keeping an eagle eye out for excess, you can ensure a constant workout for your brain and train multiple essential skills at once.
Enhances Social Skills
Video games were once thought to disconnect people from society, and this is still true if they become an excessively large part of someone’s life. If, on the other hand, you leverage the immense potential of gaming without allowing it to consume your social life, the benefits are endless. For one, gamers usually play in groups, forming lifelong friendships when connected by a shared passion. Or else, if you choose to play a game together with your college friends, the experience is sure to solidify and prolong your friendships.
Furthermore, one-of-a-kind games allow you to immerse yourself in fantastic worlds while honing your imagination and a flair for adventure. This can greatly boost your motivation to get out there and form social connections.
Reduced Stress
In our always-on world, where hectic schedules and a never-ending stream of news overburden even the most resilient of people, it’s essential to unwind once in a while. And what better way to relieve stress than to play games that allow you to roam an awe-inspiring world where you can become anything from an astute ruler to a heroic villain?
Today, you can choose a game that can satisfy your every desire. You could create a never-before-seen empire and devise strong strategies to outwit your corrupt adversaries; you could play educational games to hone a diverse set of skills while having fun; or you could play family relationship games to create your ideal household. Whatever you choose, games are an excellent way to distract yourself from stress.
Improved Decision-Making
When playing games, you must make split-second decisions that can influence the entire outcome of your efforts. In life, you frequently have the opportunity to relax and let chaos in without affecting your long-term decisions. The same cannot be said for gaming, where you must constantly remain agile in order to achieve tangible results. Therefore, games stimulate brain function like no other. Some of the most vital skills that you’ll hone while playing include perception, sensation, and decision-making. These are the core building blocks of intellect.
Perhaps even more importantly, video games can help you nurture empathy. In many games, you are invited to take on the role of a refugee avoiding discrimination while striving to find food, potentially boosting your compassion for disadvantaged people and urging you to make benevolent decisions in life.
The Way Forward
We’re witnessing a time unimaginable just a few decades ago. Professors teach geography to students using Sim City, and epic last-man-standing games are thought to improve students’ strategic thinking and creativity. Today, games play a pivotal role in education, continually lauded for their immense potential for nurturing diverse skills. That said, it’s important to approach gaming with caution as with anything else in life, overdependence can lead to undesirable outcomes like social withdrawal. Proceed with care!
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Ruby Butz is a high school teacher and blogger. She spends her days teaching children environmental science. In her free time, Ruby loves writing blog posts on issues as varied as education, technology, the arts, and more.