What cognitive function significantly impacts a student's performance across various academic areas?

Short-term memory plays a crucial role in a student's ability to perform academically because it is directly involved in the temporary storage and manipulation of information needed for learning and problem-solving. This cognitive function allows students to hold onto information such as facts, instructions, and details from a lesson long enough to use it in tasks like comprehension, solving math problems, or following multi-step directions.

Research shows that limitations in short-term memory can hinder a student's ability to learn new concepts and retrieve relevant information, which can affect their overall academic performance. This is especially important in subjects that require sequential learning or complex problem-solving, where retaining information over short periods is essential for success. Enhancing short-term memory skills can lead to improvements in a broad range of academic areas, making it a key cognitive function that impacts student performance.