How does proximity to mastery influence study habits in LearnSmart 6?

The influence of proximity to mastery on study habits highlights the strategy of focusing on areas where students feel they are close to achieving understanding or competence. This approach is effective because learners often find motivation and engagement in subjects where they can see tangible progress. By revisiting and studying more topics that they are nearing mastery in, students leverage their confidence to further solidify their knowledge and skills.

When students concentrate on these near-mastered topics, they enhance their retention of information and improve their overall competence in those areas. This method caters to a psychological phenomenon where learners are more likely to engage with content that they believe they can successfully conquer, leading to improved study habits and outcomes.

In contrast, avoiding challenging topics or neglecting easier ones does not promote effective learning; instead, it can hinder the development of a well-rounded understanding of the subject matter. Moreover, suggesting that proximity to mastery has no influence on study habits overlooks the importance of motivation and the strategic targeting of study efforts. Therefore, focusing on areas of near mastery is a sound strategy to maximize learning efficacy.