Studying at Rowan University

Upon my second semester at Rowan University, I discovered the benefits of the Campbell Library. Previously, I would head back to my room to attempt to study and do my homework. However, I often found myself distracted by the modern technology surrounding me. It is a lot more interesting to log onto Facebook or watch the newest MTV reality show than study for an upcoming exam. Even though these minor activities seem harmless, they’re affecting college students everywhere in a negative way. These distractions create poor studying habits that can affect your grades. So instead of going straight to my room after class, I now grab a coffee and head to the library. I find myself being able to concentrate in the library because it’s quiet and free of distractions. I now visit the library at least three times a week, usually for three or four hours.
Study habits like visiting the library are crucial to college success. Many college seniors will say that they regret their freshman year because they were overwhelmed with excitement about their new found freedom. They focused too much on socializing and partying than they did on their academics. Good study habits can prevent this from happening to many incoming college freshmen. During their freshman year, students need to establish effective study habits that they can practice throughout their college career in order to be successful.
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. Some students find it easier to follow a schedule once they’ve created it because it helps them stay on task. 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. 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.” Notes usually highlight the main points of the chapter. So instead of rereading the whole chapter before a test, notes can serve as a chapter outline or summary. 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. 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 Carrie Fredrick’s “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. Fredrick advises students to reward themselves after studying or even on breaks. 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. An informal poll given found that most 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 each student, and it is a great place to study at Rowan University.
While I find the Campbell Library the best place for me to study, it is important that incoming freshmen find the best place to study that suits their style. This environment should be quiet and free of distractions, such as the Internet, cell phones, and television. After accomplishing tasks, students should reward themselves with the distractions that they eliminated during studying. It is important to develop study skills that freshmen find effective for them in their first year. These study habits help to avoid being overwhelmed or losing sight of what is important in college. Practicing great study skills and methods throughout college not only help your grades for the semester, but they also lead to success in future careers outside of the classroom.


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.