Is the term " mind " another way of describing awareness?
&quot;Awareness&quot; is a very poor or inaccurate word to use in relation to Buddhism, despite the fact that so many Buddhists use it. This is because, in English, &quot;awareness&quot; has many meanings, such as:
(i) mere sense awareness; e.g. He was aware of the sight of the plane in the sky
(ii) knowledge; e.g. He is aware that drugs are dangerous.

1. Having knowledge or discernment of something: was aware of the difference between the two versions; became aware that the music had
stopped.
2. Attentive and well informed: &quot;Most scientists are thoughtful, liberal-minded and socially aware people&quot; (Armand Marie Leroi).
3. Archaic Vigilant; watchful.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/awareness

In Buddhism, there are different words for the different types of mentality (nama), such as:

consciousness ('vinnana'); that which 'experiences' sense objects via the sense organs

'citta' ('mind-heart'); that which generates emotions (greed, anger, love, etc) &amp; thoughts

'mano' ('intellect'); that which makes decisions, generates intentions, develops wisdom


Therefore, to answer the original question, feeling, thinking, studying, etc, have consciousness ('vinnana') as the common factor.
Buddhism defines the composition of a human life into five aggregates, namely:
(i) body;
(ii) feelings (pleasant &amp; unpleasant sensations);
(iii) perceptions (labels);
(iv) mental forming (emotions, thoughts, images, etc) &amp;
(v) consciousness.
It is consciousness that allows each aggregate, including consciousness itself, to be experienced or known. Thus the common factor, in terms of 'experience', is consciousness.
However, if we take a scientific approach, in terms of how these different mental functions exist, we would say the common factor is the brain or neurology.