A student from Palacio de Granda International School, Daniel Puente, represented the school at the second edition of Forbes Talks x ISP, an event held at Forbes House (Madrid) that brought together students from different ISP Schools in Spain to discuss learning, neuroscience and decision-making alongside renowned researcher Nazareth Castellanos. The event, organised by Forbes and ISP Schools, gave participants the opportunity to exchange ideas with Nazareth Castellanos, one of the most recognised voices in Spanish neuroscience, about the challenges young people face in a context marked by technological transformation and the changing world of work. Bernardo de Vicente, Regional Managing Director ISP Iberia, welcomed the 16 students gathered at the event and encouraged them to take an active part in the discussion: “At ISP, we believe that learning is not just about content. It is about mindset, curiosity and the ability to make informed decisions. Today, we have brought you together to reflect on how the mind is trained when choosing your future”. Understanding the Brain to Make Better Decisions Under the title “Lead Your Future: Learning How to Learn”, the meeting between Forbes and ISP focused on a fundamental idea: understanding how our brain works helps us learn better, manage our emotions and face the decisions that will shape our future with greater confidence. During the conversation, Nazareth Castellanos explained how the brain continues to mature during adolescence and why this stage is key to developing habits that support learning. The expert highlighted the importance of rest, physical activity, a balanced diet and mindful attention as tools for improving academic performance and emotional well-being. “The brain loves routine, so when there is none, it looks for one. If you are used to checking your phone while studying, your brain will seek to reproduce that pattern. That is why it is important to break it”, said Nazareth Castellanos. She also addressed issues such as uncertainty when choosing a university degree, the fear of making mistakes and the need to understand mistakes as a natural part of the personal growth process. Palacio de Granda’s Participation One of the highlights for Palacio de Granda came when Daniel Puente took the floor to ask what happens in our brain when we feel under great pressure, particularly in situations such as exams or important decisions about the future. Nazareth Castellanos explained that “the brain cannot cope with not knowing what is going to happen, so it begins to release stress hormones to prepare us for any scenario, even the most catastrophic ones. The only thing is that these stressors, when excessive, can block us. To avoid this situation, it is important to learn how to relax the mind, and the best way to do this is through exercise and breathing”. As a strategy for managing these situations, the neuroscientist recommended incorporating habits that promote emotional regulation, such as physical exercise and breathing techniques, which can help the brain regain a state of calm and improve concentration. Our student Daniel’s contribution opened up an interesting discussion about one of the most common challenges among students: learning to manage pressure without allowing it to limit learning or self-confidence. Forbes Talks x ISP: Learning Beyond the Classroom Forbes Talks x ISP was created with the aim of bringing ISP Schools students closer to professionals and experts who inspire new ways of thinking about learning, leadership and personal development. These experiences complement academic education by giving students the opportunity to take part in discussions on current issues, ask questions directly to leading figures and develop skills as important as critical thinking, communication and self-awareness. You can discover the highlights of this edition of Forbes Talks x ISP in the event summary video: ▶️ YouTube Event Summary Video
