How do you become smarter?

* Listen to others patiently and hear and learn from what they are saying. Some people are wise, others just hurt and need to talk, while others may try to persuade you into doing things you shouldn't .... don't! Read, research the Internet on different subjects. If we keep our ears and eyes open to the world and truly listen we learn much.

* Pay attention to subjects.

* The best way to become smarter is simply to exercise your brain! You can improve your brain the same way you improve your muscles when you exercise them. Read as much as you can and talk about what you have read with others. Look up information about anything that seems interesting. The more you learn, the more your brain will be able to learn. Try puzzles and brainteasers to improve your problem-solving abilities. You can also browse the Learning Tips section to learn how to take better notes in class, how to listen better, and how to study for tests. The way to improve your brain is the same as the way to improve your muscles - you work out! The more you use your brain, the better it works. Reading is a good way to exercise your brain, especially if you read books that challenge you to think about different things or to imagine different cultures. Puzzles and brain teasers are also good exercise - practice makes perfect, also - as you work more puzzles, you get better at doing them. There are even video games that give your brain a workout! In general, anything you do to try to make yourself really think will make you smarter.

* I don't think there is any way to increase one's I.Q. as an adult, but doing puzzles, logic problems, and researching and trying to answer questions on this website may be a way of improving one's problem solving abilities.

* You have heard the phrase "Use It or Lose It," and that works for the brain as well. The more you use your mind, the more intelligent you will become. Reading, working puzzles, solving problems, visualizing, and imagining are all ways to improve your intelligence. Intelligent people can come up with new ideas and new ways to do things; it really has nothing to do with school or IQ. Even something as simple as trying a new way to get to your destination can help, because you have to think about how to get from one place to the other, and visualize the route. People who use their brains and constantly try to improve their intelligence are less likely to have mental problems as they get older. Of course, people who work at improving their brains will usually do better at school and on IQ tests, but not always.

Doing your work will not make you smarter - it WILL make you have better grades and be able to understand your subjects better. Homework is practicing what you learn to help you learn better. It does not change your brain.