Back into the swing of classes, you might feel like the semester is starting out slow, boring, and redundant. Doesn’t it feel like some classes are teaching the same thing over and over again? You’ve already learned this stuff and you can’t help, but want to be anywhere else than in your class.
Of course that isn’t anything you’ve done. Classes are designed to kind of bring you back into going to school after your long break. A refresher of sorts, especially for those who didn’t take summer classes. (Guilty!)
So instead of completely paying attention to your teacher, you find yourself doodling in your notebook. (Again, guilty!) Now this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. According to a Times article, a study in Applied Cognitive Psychology by psychologist Jackie Andrade showed that doodling helps you remember things better. An increase of 29% better, actually.
The study says that it might have something to do with you concentrating rather than daydreaming. Doodling allows you to stay focused, but not enough to distract you from what you’re taking in from the class. Daydreaming, however, requires more brain power. The brain power required for daydreaming isn’t enough to keep your concentration within the classroom. Instead, you’re in your mind.
Now if your teacher says something about you doodling, you can tell them about this study. It’s pretty interesting to know. However, what might be more interesting is what your doodles mean.
This isn’t for all of the doodles that you’re capable of drawing. Believe me, that would probably take an entire book to write. However, here are a few that people draw most often.
Faces
Usually the expression of the face shows what mood you are in, or even your character as a person. Comic like faces show a desire to be the center of attention, while child-like ones suggest neediness.
Flowers
Flowers usually show a sense of happiness. Lots of perky ones display that you are sociable. Soft, round petals show a family-centric person while pointy petal indicate a warm heart behind a prickly defense. Drooping flowers however show you’re weighed-down by worry.
Flying Organisms
Butterflies, birds, and bees all suggest that you don’t want to be tied down. This can be romantically, or it can mean in other ways too, like with difficult problems or tasks.
Hearts
Hearts indicate you’re in love with love. It doesn’t have to be a person, just the emotion.
Stairs or Ladders
Both stairs and ladders signal ambition, pretty much “working your way up the ladder.” It can also suggest a long term task at hand that you’re working on. Or even, a spiritual quest of some sort.
Transportation
Boats, planes, or cars are all forms of transportation. This often shows a desire to escape a situation.
Houses
A house drawing shows a need for security. A well drawn house can mean a secure home life. On the other hand, a more messy house can indicate unhappiness in your life, especially one with no windows. Although a house on a hill might seem beautiful, it might also indicate that you’re feeling lonely.
Stars
Like movie stars, doodling stars are drawn by people with ambition. Lots of stars show optimism, while one bold one shows a goal in your sights. Neat, uniform stars show mental focus. Freehand, asymmetrical stars indicate an energetic personality.
Stick Figures
Drawing a person with a round head and stick body might seem childish, but they actually are often drawn by highly successful people. They are in control of their emotions as well as their goals in life.
Now, again, these are just a few of the most common doodles that people draw. The website, dailymail, that was used offers a few more. If you don’t see your doodle, check out what Google has to offer. You never know what you might find!
Sources:
http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1882127,00.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2036328/What-doodles-really-say-Arrows-ambition-flowers-family.html#ixzz2fXVFydSk