Herpes and Humor

Learning about viral diseases of the digestive system in my microbiology class, my professor told a joke: "What's the difference between true love and herpes? Herpes lasts forever."

Pretty accurate imitation of my awkward laugh

While we weren't sure whether to laugh or awkwardly look around, it got me to thinking. When humor is incorporated into the class, I learn so much better. Studying over 50 diseases for my microbiology test, I easily remembered that there is no treatment for human herpesvirus 1.

And I'm not the only one that feels this way. My roommate changes her notes into vulgar comments on the facts which she must memorize before the test. Studying one of her psychology reviews, I would remember the jokes or comedic phrasing, facilitating my memory of the specific experiments, theories, and psychologists.

Research has shown that the presence of dopamine in the brain aids in long-term memory of facts, events, dates, and faces. This same neurotransmitter is released when you laugh. Logically, then, it makes sense that you remember even small facts if you learn them while laughing.

That's great, but how can we use that? My roommate's method of studying demonstrates one application of this fact. If you can incorporate comedy (really laugh-out-loud material) into your studying, it will be much easier for you to recall these facts. It also makes studying not as excruciating. You can also associate boring facts and figures with funny situations in your everyday life (or more likely, TV shows).

But there are changes that can be made by the professor as well. Let's start off the classes with some stand-up comedy. Professors should entertain us during class with jokes, funny YouTube videos, comical anecdotes, maybe even some short skits. Who's with me?!

I'll admit, maybe those aren't the most realistic suggestions. But professors should attempt to liven up their classes at least a little bit. Their students would be more attentive, more interested, and would remember the information better than simply reading PowerPoints out loud. At this point, we're all capable of reading; why don't you spice things up a bit?

This may seem like a strange direction to take a simple Herpes joke. There is a possibility that my growing hatred of my large lecture classes is seeping out a little into this blog post. Nevertheless, it is scientifically proven that learning while laughing aids in memory. Better memory means less studying which means more Netflix and pizza, the ultimate light at the end of the tunnel.

So the moral of this blog post: professors, please make your classes funny. I'm begging you.