**2. Development of cognitive control**

It is only through thinking, exploring, and solving problems that learners can acquire knowledge. By thinking about and understanding their surroundings, students develop knowledge, skills, problem-solving abilities, and dispositions. From a neurological perspective, brain development is part of cognitive development. Learning novel concepts and making connections between them is facilitated by building upon previous knowledge and ideas. Students can approach coursework with enthusiasm and confidence when they have a thorough understanding of topics and strong learning skills. Learning in college requires students to be able to read, understand, remember, write, think, analyze, and solve problems. To function effectively, these cognitive skills must be combined. Cognitive skills contribute to the enhancement of academic performance. Through three transactions, students gain an increasing ability to overcome habits. At first, they develop cognitive control in response to environmental stimuli. Later, cognitive control is applied both reactively and proactively. Lastly, learners become more self-directed rather than dependent on environmental cues to engage in cognitive control. The following factors, however, influence the development of cognitive control.
