Topics: Brain Health 101

Catalog description

Your brain is the most powerful and adaptable organ you own—and this course will teach you how to help it thrive. Brain Health 101 dives into some of the most exciting discoveries from neuroscience and psychology to show you how to make your brain perform optimally in school and in life. At the heart of the course is the concept of brain plasticity—the brain's remarkable ability to change, grow, and adapt in response to experience. You'll explore how everyday choices shape this plasticity and directly influence your mood, focus, creativity, and memory. Together, we'll examine how exercise, sleep, meditation, and social connection transform brain function and set the foundation for lifelong mental wellness. We'll also tackle one of the most misunderstood emotions: anxiety. In the "Good Anxiety" module, you'll learn how to find and harness the protective, motivational aspects of anxiety to work for you rather than against you. But this isn't just a course you listen to—it's one you live. Throughout the semester, you'll take part in a series of personal experiments—both individually and in small groups—designed to optimize your own sleep, movement, mindfulness, or social habits. You'll track your results, share your insights, and experience the science of brain health come alive in real time. By the end of Brain Health 101, you'll have a toolkit for building a more focused, resilient, and joyful mind—ready to make the most of your NYU journey and beyond.