"When I was younger, I took piano lessons for about two years. At first, the concept was pretty foreign because it was the first time I was learning to play an instrument. Over time, practicing helped me become much more familiar with the keys. Eventually, playing piano became second nature to me."

"Skiing is something that I learned that became automatic. Initially, it was perpetually snowball rolling down a mountain. Many winters later, my balance had become second nature, and I can now manipulate without a second thought."

"I work at Starbucks and I had no idea how to make any of the drinks when I first started. Now I can make most of the drinks fairly quickly without having to ask for help."

"At first, it may be difficult to learn something new like writing an entire research paper. However, splitting it up into smaller components may make it easier. By the end, my brain will be used to the new material."

"As assignments are completed for this course, the brain regions responsible for critical thinking and word processing will form new connections."

"The brain might creat [sic] new synapses and connections due to the materials we are learning in class. For example, if we learn the components of an academic paper and we bring it up multiple times throughout the semester my brain may automate that info so I can easily retrieve the information."