Study Habits

By Sandra Gurall; For The Clock

On March 28, 2016

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Study Habits

Sandra Gurall

For The Clock

sagurall@plymouth.edu

Spring break is behind us and there is approximately seven weeks left until the end of the semester. The pressure is building while we peruse our syllabi to see what work is ahead of us. Depending on your major you may have more projects than papers; that being said, the steam is building for each one of us.

So how do we prepare for the end of the semester? I thought study habits would be as varied as we are but there were a few things that kept creeping up as I asked fellow students; where do you like to study and how do you go through the process of learning and studying for a class or final exam?

Senior Hannah Andry, a Communications/Sociology major said she has to come to the library in order to study. “I think of my home as my sanctuary – a place to relax, my escape from work. I don’t like to mix work and play. I turn off my phone and often listen to classical music.” She studies for most analytical classes but not as hard for theory classes. She stated that she takes hand written notes because “it’s a proven fact that you retain more by writing out your work.” She also commented that she didn’t really start taking classes seriously until this year. “You get out of it (college) what you put into it. I also feel much more mature than when I started.”

Hunter told me that it’s “hit or miss” with him. “Sometimes I like to study in my bedroom in my apartment. Some circumstances make it easier to study in the library. Some professors leave a book in the library that students can use, so I come here to read and do my work.” It’s convenient to read and then use the computers here. He told me he is a note taker and rereads in order to study. “For math problems it’s easier for me if I listen to music but for other classes I prefer not to listen to music while learning. I usually listen to instrumental music, not necessarily classical but instrumental.” Being a Psychology major he finds it easier to study his core subjects with other Psych majors. “I find this more beneficial.”

Student Matt Smorkel said, “it’s hard, I just bought a house, I work full time and attend school. I try to get my work done well before it’s due. I have to complete my work when I have the time, not when I feel like it. Working in a group is usually a challenge for me. I don’t live on campus so I can only meet when I am here. Students who live here can meet up any time of the day or night.” He went on to say that his professor for Photo-shop stated that it would be a difficult class for commuting students. That made him a bit nervous in the beginning but he has managed. “I am six classes away from my degree in Business Administration and that gives me the incentive to keep pushing. I have been working the same job for the last five years and here for the last two. I feel lucky that my boss understands and is flexible.”

As I spoke with senior Nursing students Ursula Volosevich and Melinda Denuau it became clear that their work here at school is challenging. Ursula stated that she “Takes notes, studies hard, and makes flashcards. As nursing students we are held to a high standard because we will be holding peoples lives in our hands.”

Melinda stated she cannot study at home because, “that is where my bed is. I use the upstairs of the library because it’s the quietest and has cubicles.” She also stated, “I often watch ‘Youtube’ videos on subject matter that I’m learning about. I need the visual as well as the auditory. I find that it really helps me out.” She too is a note taker and flash card maker.

It seems no matter what the subject is, we all have our ways of dealing with learning and studying. Some of us need the quiet and others prefer some music. Some of us like to study together and others prefer a solitary environment. Every one seems to find their own way and that is all that really matters.