Studying at Rowan University (Draft)

Freshman year of college is very exciting for students. Students can expose themselves to new people, new activities, and new environments. However, these new experiences can also create distractions. Studying in college is crucial in passing any class, so it is very important that students create studying habits during their freshman year that they can manage and practice throughout their entire college career. These studying habits must include avoiding distractions, which can be hard for some students. In order to properly study, students have to find a stable environment in which they can concentrate. At Rowan University, the best place to study on campus is the Campbell Library. Students at Rowan and across the country utilize time management skills, read their textbooks, reward themselves, take breaks, and choose their study environment wisely in order to attain success in studying.
Time management is a key skill when attempting to study. College can be hectic, so it’s important for a college student to properly balance his or her time. According to “Learning to Study” by Herald News, the best way to arrange your time is to create a schedule. Students should organize their schedules to include not only studying, but time for extracurricular activities, leisure time, and time for social activities and functions. Schedules can be as detailed or brief as desired, or range from the day’s activities to the entire month. Students should set up certain times during the day for studying and try to stick to those times. It will be easier to study and concentrate if students are in the routine of studying. “10 Habits of Very Successful College Students” by Fatcampus.com reports that studies have shown that studying two hours for every one hour of class is an adequate and successful duration for studying. However, if students find themselves no longer able to study or concentrate, they should stop. There is no use in studying if students are not retaining the information.
One major factor that helps to contribute to success in studying is to read the textbooks assigned for the class. Buying textbooks for class is extremely important and highly recommended by “10 Things College Freshmen Should Avoid in Order to Succeed” by The Times Union. Some students often share textbooks with a classmate or borrow the book from a friend. If students share textbooks, it can become a nuisance to switch back and forth the textbook with the other person. Borrowing textbooks can also become a problem if the person who is lending the student the book has an older edition of the book. The older book could have differences in page numbers and new, updated research and points crucial to the class. If students buy their own books, they have easy access to their book at any time. They can also write in the book and take notes as they read. Some students find it helpful to highlight as they read, so they can go back later to study the key idea highlighted. Kimberly Lebb, a senior at Rowan, said reading the textbook helps her a lot. “After I read, I go back and take notes on the text, because writing things down helps me remember the material. It’s also helpful to have the notes for reference instead of having to search the textbook again.” When students have their textbooks readily available, it is easier to study when it comes time for the test. Some students do not buy their textbooks because they do not use them in class. However, many teachers construct their tests based on both their notes given in class and the textbook.
While studying, it is extremely important to take breaks. As mentioned earlier, there is no use in continuing to try to study if you cannot concentrate. If students try to study all at once, they are more likely to exhaust themselves and are unable to concentrate. It is easier to study in portions than try to cram all at once. Cramming leads to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Rowan freshman Melissa Calabrese said, “I find I’m more prepared for a test when I study in advance, not just the night before. I begin studying each day about five days before the test, so then I know the material.” According to “Learning to Study,” the average time span for one task is 20 minutes. It is a good idea to study a portion of text, take a break, and then move onto another portion. Students are encouraged to take breaks even if they are experiencing no trouble concentrating or enjoying their work. After studying or even on breaks, it is important for students to reward themselves. When students reward themselves for their hard work, they are reinforcing their behavior. A student is more likely to study and concentrate better if he or she knows there is a reward waiting after they accomplish their task.
A student’s environment is a huge contributing factor to successfully studying. Students should find a quiet, peaceful area to study. A noisy area or an area filled with people can be very distracting. It is hard to concentrate when there are so many things happening. Students at Rowan find the Campbell Library the best place to study. Rowan’s library offers four floors available to students, which accommodate every student. The library is open until midnight on school nights and until 5:00 PM on weekends. It is the perfect area to study and for students to do their homework if they cannot concentrate in their room. The library also offers books, magazines, and online databases, which make it easy for students to accurately research topics. Freshmen Bridget Comber and Kimberly Ryan prefer the third floor of the library. They both agree that the cubicles help with studying, because students can isolate themselves and avoid distractions. Freshman Melissa Calabrese prefers the second floor. “The second floor of the library is quiet, but you can also speak to others in a small talk group,” says Calabrese. Each floor accommodates for every student, and it is rated the best place to study at Rowan University.
In conclusion, proper studying habits are extremely important in order to succeed in college. Establishing good study skills freshman year make it easier for students to follow through with their habits until they graduate. A proper environment for studying is crucial. The environment should be free of noise and distractions, which make it easier for students to concentrate. Students at Rowan University find the Campbell Library the best place to study. It has four floors that accommodate to every student’s studying needs. Time management skills help students organize their time for studying and other activities. Students also find reading their textbooks extremely helpful, especially when they highlight the text and take notes. It is also healthy to take breaks during studying in order to avoid burning out. Another important habit is for students to reward themselves after studying. It reinforces their behavior, which makes them more likely to study again.

Works Cited
Frederick, Carrie. “Learning to Study.” Herald News. Newsbank. 31 January 1999. Web. 1 February 2011.
“10 Habits of Very Successful College Students.” Fat Campus. Web. 1 February 2011.

Lyon, Lindsay. “10 Things College Freshmen Should Avoid to Succeed.” The Times Union. Newsbank. 24 September 2006. Web. 1 February 2011.