Learning is food for the brain.  I’ve often asked students to talk about their most  memorable “Aha!” moments, after a lot of hard work.  What was the task?  Why was it difficult for you?  Then, I ask them to remember that feeling, both emotionally and physically.  Did your heart start beating faster?  Did you feel a huge weight lifted off your shoulders?  Did you feel proud?

For some students, it was riding a bike for the first time.  Some students recounted getting their driver’s license.  Others felt the sense of accomplishment in athletics … making the winning basket in a nail-biting game, or hitting their first home run, or running their first 5k race.  Some said that factoring their first polynomial was their best “Aha!” experience.  (Ok, I made that one up.  But I really am waiting for a student to share their favorite factoring experience with me.)

I ask them this question because it’s a great feeling to have, and I wish we could all experience it more often.  But the opportunities are actually all around us, especially with learning.  Tackling a new topic can be scary, but when we master it, we feel we’re on top of the world!  Learn a new language.  Cook a new dish.  Try a new math problem.  And, maybe factor a polynomial from time to time.

So, what was your greatest “Aha!” moment?  And what will be your next?