A groundbreaking scientific study has found that venturing into unfamiliar environments before studying can significantly enhance the brain’s capacity to absorb and retain new information, offering fresh strategies for Thai students and lifelong learners seeking to maximize their educational outcomes. The research, which has implications from primary education to university entrance exams and professional development in Thailand, underlines the value of combining experiences of novelty with the comfort of familiarity to optimize memory and learning.
In an academic culture where rote memorization continues to dominate classrooms, Thai students often struggle to remember the sheer volume of facts required for high-stakes tests like the O-NET, GAT/PAT, or the university entrance exams. Many feel overwhelmed, doubting their ability to retain all the necessary information. However, new research has illuminated methods that could make learning more effective—not by increasing study time, but by changing the psychological state before and during study sessions. Studies led by memory science experts suggest a two-pronged approach: using novelty to prime the brain for new knowledge, and leveraging familiarity to organize and recall information.
The recent study, detailed in an article for ScienceAlert and conducted by a neuroscientist at Leiden University, examined how encounters with new environments can “prime” the brain, making it more open and receptive to learning. In controlled experiments, participants first explored either a familiar or unfamiliar virtual landscape—imagine wandering through a fantasy island filled with giant candy canes and whimsical sights. After immersing themselves in these settings, participants were tasked with memorizing lists of words, then tested after a brief distraction involving mathematical problems. Remarkably, those who explored new environments consistently outperformed peers who stuck with the familiar, recalling a higher number of words. This suggests that the simple act of engaging with something novel right before studying—like taking a walk in an unfamiliar part of Bangkok, visiting a new exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, or exploring a virtual world on a smartphone app—could condition the mind to better absorb information (ScienceAlert).
Why does novelty work? According to experts in cognitive neuroscience, new experiences stimulate the hippocampus—a brain area essential for forming memories—by activating dopamine and stress hormones that signal “this is important, pay attention.” This physiological shift makes the brain more plastic, increasing its capacity to encode and store new facts. In this research, stepping into unknown environments sparked a “priming effect,” tuning the mind to latch onto upcoming information. For learners in Thailand, where practicality and efficiency are prized in exam preparation, even a short detour into something new before a study session could meaningfully impact recall.
Yet, novelty is only half the equation. The same research emphasizes that successful learning depends equally on familiarity—integrating new information into frameworks the brain already understands. The Thai education system introduces abstract topics as early as upper primary or secondary school, such as concepts in science, literature, or social studies that may feel disconnected from daily life. Experts describe memory as being organized in “schemas,” or linked categories. For example, Thai students may remember that a “lotus” can cue ideas of temples, Buddhism, or purity. When new content is relatable to existing knowledge—even through simple associations—it becomes easier to learn and retrieve later.
The study detailed a clever example: teaching complex biological processes with everyday objects. To help students remember the movement of potassium and sodium chloride during neural activity, the instructor used a picture of a banana (a Thai dietary staple high in potassium) and table salt (sodium chloride, ubiquitous in Thai kitchens) stacked together. This visual cue anchored unfamiliar scientific concepts to recognizable items, leading to markedly improved test performance. Incorporating such techniques—linking abstract knowledge to known foods, places, or traditions—could help Thai students overcome hurdles with dense or foreign curriculum content.
“Memory schemas are crucial,” the Leiden University assistant professor explained (ScienceAlert). “When you have to learn something new, your brain will try to categorize that novel information. If a link can be made with something you already know, this information can more easily be integrated into an existing memory schema.” This perspective is echoed by Thai cognitive psychologists who have long called for more context-based, student-centered learning approaches in Thai schools, emphasizing that connections to local culture, language, or personal experience make abstract concepts more digestible and memorable.
Implementing these findings in Thai classrooms and study routines is both feasible and culturally resonant. Teachers can encourage students to seek out novelty before lessons—perhaps a quick visit to another part of the school, a brief music piece, or exposure to new artworks. Likewise, they can actively help students make associations between new material and what they know from everyday life, using Thai examples and analogies. Such strategies are in line with local initiatives to move beyond rote memorization and foster critical thinking, as called for by the Ministry of Education in recent curricular reforms (Ministry of Education, Thailand).
Historically, Thai education has balanced reverence for tradition with openness to outside influences. The idea of “priming” the mind through novelty fits well with longstanding Buddhist practices that encourage mindfulness and presence, as well as with the cultural readiness to adapt global trends in learning. This new technique can be integrated not only into formal curriculums but into daily habits, supporting everyone from young students to adult learners in monk’s robes or business attire.
Looking ahead, the growing popularity of digital platforms and virtual environments among Thai youth presents a fertile opportunity. Schools and tutoring centers can develop affordable virtual field trips or interactive content that thrusts students into new sensory experiences prior to study, amplifying memory formation. Smartphone applications can prompt users to try something new—be it a game, a podcast, or an online museum—before tackling revision, blending playfulness with pedagogy.
In summary, the latest research suggests a powerful, practical way to turn the tide on exam stress in Thailand: prime your brain by immersing yourself in something new, then anchor fresh knowledge to the familiar. For Thai readers and families, the message is clear: don’t just repeat and review—explore, connect, and relate. Whether you’re preparing for a university entrance assessment or a language exam, harnessing these memory techniques could make the process more enjoyable and more effective.
Based on this evidence, Thai learners and educators are encouraged to develop study routines that incorporate elements of both novelty and familiarity. Before your next study session, try exploring a new corner of your neighborhood, visiting a local museum, or listening to a different music genre. While learning, relate new information to Thai culture, food, everyday objects, or personal memories. With these simple adjustments, the daunting task of memory can become a rewarding, efficient, and even joyful process.
For further information, see the study as summarized in ScienceAlert, with additional guidance on Thai curricula at the Ministry of Education of Thailand.