Stacey Lynn Unfried McKendree University

Where to study

The best location to study is different for everyone. Things you need to ask yourself are:

Can I study here whenever I want?
Can I study here without interruptions?
Is it free from distractions? (If you need the television/music, keep it low)
Do I have everything I need for productive study time here? (paper, pens, computer, reference material)
Is there a desk or table I can use?
Can I store study materials here?
Is there a comfortable chair?
Is there enough light/can I see clearly?
Is the temperature comfortable?

The answer to all of these should be YES!!!

Karen Leary

Master of Science in Nursing

West Chester University

    How do you achieve success among the best? Everyone knows those two or three students in every class who seem never to do wrong. They always have an answer for every class question, make the best additions to every discussion, and always ace every tests no matter how difficult. Oh and here's the kicker, they never seem to study. The material just seems to come to them so easy as if through osmosis. Well I'll be the first to tell you that I am not one of those students. I have to work hard to perform at such a level. The key for me has been to find what means of studying truly work best for me. Now I know you've all heard the whole develop great study habits tip before, but it's actually very important and has kept me afloat among those I call the super brains at my institution. Now this doesn't necessarily mean shut your self in the coldest corner of the quietest library on campus and only remove your head from your book at 8 hour intervals. By finding the method of studying that works best for you, you can really stay on top of the material for your courses through minimal time. Your best study method will allow you to use your study time as efficiently as possible and leave you with a very accomplished feeling. I have come to realize that I actually do not like to study where it is super quiet. I prefer some background noise including sounds from outside when I study in my room with the window open or even the television. Sounds crazy huh?! Trying to study in front of the television? However, by putting the television on a program that I'm not super interested in and will not distract me from my books, I can listen to the sounds and manage to get through a lot of material in shorter time periods. I find that when I study in areas that are really quiet such as the art museum library on my campus, my thoughts tend to drift to many other things outside of my study materials or I get very sleepy. Now this doesn't mean all of you should substitute studying in the quiet library with studying while watching your favorite reality TV show. However, it does mean you should explore different methods to really determine what method of studying works best for you as this valuable knowledge will take you far. Knowing and utilizing the study methods that work best for you are a major key to achieving success among the best!

 

Daniel Watford Molecular Biology Princeton University

Find your ideal study environment. Some people find it best to study in the library, some like to study under a tree. It is always good to focus and study alone, but do not neglect your classmates. Sometimes subject will become clearer to you if you explain them to other people. Furthermore, difficult classes like Organic Chemistry or Biology are often easier if you can work through problems with a friend, after all there wouldn't be Watson with out Crick (and Rosalind Franklin).

Michael Emil Wagner

Cornell University

    Be honest with yourself about your study habits. It's entirely possible to convince yourself that "you study best with music on," or "you can only get work done when you're in your room," or "if you don't have friends around, you can't focus," but in the end, it is highly unlikely that those things are true. It may be relaxing to read with music on, but it isn't likely to be "more efficient." It may be comfortable to work in your room, surrounded by familiar scenery, but it probably isn't "more effective," and so on. Not only does research show that academic reading and writing is best done in a quiet, well-lit area, but most of us will admit, in the end, that these "alternative" study strategies are really about meeting other, non-academic needs. It's important to relax, to be comfortable, and to be social in college (in fact, these may be equal objectives to academic success in some regards), but it pays psychologically to be honest about which needs you're actually meeting with your study strategies. That way, when you are facing a serious academic challenge, you'll be ready to prepare in a serious and effective way.

Conor Williams

PhD, Government (Political Theory)

Georgetown University

Study Skills

The Best Place to Study:
You will need to discover the best environment that will give you the best atmosphere for studying. If you are comfortable, you will be able to concentrate for longer periods of time. Contrary to what you told your parents, studies show that music and TV are distracting while studying. When you find your study place, it should be free from distractions, comfortable, and have the supplies you will need easily at hand. Consider lighting, temperature, noise level, and traffic flow (people walking through).

Setting up your area:
You will need a good, sturdy work surface with ample space for your materials that allows for good posture and comfortable seating. Your area needs storage space for your materials and supplies. Remove all distracting items. The less temptation available, the more likely you are to concentrate on the task at hand. Equip your study area with all the supplies you might need. A lot of time can be wasted running around looking for things in other areas of the house. If everything you need is at your fingertips, you can spend more of your allotted study time actually studying.

Distractions:
When you first begin using your study area, each time something distracts you, take a second and jot it down. After the study session, look at your list of distractions and brainstorm ways to eliminate each one. Some may not be so easily eliminated (a dog barking), but do your best to cut down the distractions.


The Best Time to Study:
You will need to make a study schedule and stick to it. Create a 'use of time' chart. Begin with the time you wake up in the morning and make a list of a typical school day. Be specific and record everything you do. You will then need to divide your activities into categories: time in class, time studying out of class, time in organized activities, time for social activities, and time not fitting into any of these categories. You need to do this for a week, and then analyze your charts. Look for any wasted time or time that can be spend better in another way. You will need to create a 'use of time' plan. Don't be unrealistic, but do allot study time. Remember that unexpected things come up and you will need to be flexible.

Determining Your Best Way to Study
How do you learn best? That is a question to give some serious thought before answering. Do you learn best visually, by seeing an illustration of something? Do you learn best by listening to lectures? Do you learn best kinesthetically by doing a hands-on activity? Do you learn better with a combination of these techniques?
Even if your instructor lectures, you can create study aids to fit your learning style. For example, if you need to learn the meaning of some vocabulary words essential for a certain topic and your professor presented these in lecture, you can create flashcards to use as a study aid. If you are visual, put pictures along with the definition. If you are kinesthetic, manipulating the flash cards should help you.

Remember:
It is up to you to determine how you best learn and then utilize study techniques in this style to better help you understand a topic. Most instructors present in the lecture format.

I think that a large part of success and motivation in school starts with the right mindset and environment.

When studying in my dorm room, I feel that I get through the material at a snail's pace. I often need to remind myself to get into another study environment, away from the TV, Nintendo wii, and talkative roommates. Getting out of the dorm room can be half the battle in conquering the studying process. In a library or classroom, surrounded by books and desks, I find it easier to put myself into a more intellectual mindset.

In times when I really need a jumpstart to getting into that mindset, a minute or two of symphony music on the iPod can do the trick. While I like hip hop and R&B the most, the symphony music has a more intellectual kick to it. I like to listen to Spanish music like Daddy Yankee or Calle 13 before Spanish papers and tests. Again, the music puts me in the mindset for what lies ahead of me.

The most important piece of the puzzle for creating a good study environment for myself is surrounding myself with friends that have a desire to do well in school. I've found that I dread doing work when I hang out with friends that don't place much of an emphasis on schoolwork, but instead get their sole pleasure out of partying. When I associate with friends that still like to have fun but are more motivated in school, I've noticed that studying doesn't seem nearly as long and laborious, and I do much better on writing papers and taking tests.

Christopher Stem

Princeton University

Find a study space that is away from your dorm room. The campus library or computer labs are likely spots. In nice weather, try studying outside in a peaceful, semi-secluded location. For many people, the distractions in the dorm room are just too much.

There are several good reasons for scouting out a study space away from your own dorm:

1. Distractions are lessened when you are not in your own room. In your room, if you are dreading a project, you will find something – anything – to do to keep you from getting down to work. I even found myself cleaning the room to keep from starting a project. In your study space, you will find that there is much less to keep you from the task at hand.

2. You work more efficiently when studying/working on your project is your only focus. This means getting more done and leaving you more time to relax later.

3. There are usually other people studying nearby if you choose a study space in your campus library or computer lab. I believe that seeing other people hard at work also helps you get to work. It can also provide short reprieves with other people if you just need a break.

4. Studying away from the dorm keeps your dorm room “sacred.” It is a good idea to keep work and relaxation separate. So it is wise to keep those areas separate, too. Let your dorm room be a place of respite – save your work for your study space.

Carissa K. Goodlet Master of Educational Administration Youngstown State University

Create a "school space". Create a place, preferably a place where you can work in quiet, without distractions so that you can concentrate on school. Find someone to be your personal coach/encourager. This person will help you stay the course, keep you accountable, and be your greatest supporter and revel in your success.

Clara Ervin

Master of Special Education

Pittsburg State University