Studying can be a difficult time for students, especially during their preparation for final exams. With the stress levels high and the morale low, mindless studying can feel unfulfilling or as if it does more harm than good.
This is why healthy habits can save your study sessions, whether you plan out the entire day of studying, or simply work on self-discipline. With final exams right around the corner, Oakland University students help explain study habits that work for them during this stressful time.
Taylor Bailey, a public administration major focusing on healthcare, deals with lengthy papers in their field of study.
“With my current classes, it’s mostly focused on papers, so there’s been a long process throughout the whole semester just breaking down the papers into sections,” Bailey said. “There’s just so much information all the time, so definitely breaking it up into manageable sections ensures that you’re actually understanding what you’re learning.”
A tip Bailey gives to students is to work with a classmate on your assignments.
“I think studying with a partner or a classmate is definitely useful,” Bailey said. “Just so you can gain a better perspective of how they understood it and if it’s different from yours.”
Fran Pacha, a marketing major, tends to work best away from their home. Pacha explains why studying in libraries and coffee shops works best for him.
“I forced myself to come here [to the library] pretty much because if I go home, I won’t do my work,” Pacha said. “If I’m at home, I’ll just find something more interesting to do, but this is a library, so it’s the right place to do it.”
One study method Pacha uses is the Pomodoro Technique. This method involves working as hard as you can for a set period of time without distraction, and then giving a smaller period of time to set aside the work and relax.
“I will pretty much go [study] for 45 minutes and then I’ll give myself the last 15 minutes of the hour to go watch YouTube or something,” Pacha said. “For those 15 minutes, I can kind of just reset.”
Studying alone can take a good amount of self-discipline to make sure you stay on task, or even start studying in the first place. This is why having a study group can be rewarding, as having others around you helps with keeping on task.
Ben Trater explains how his study group helps him stay focused on his work.
“I was still late [today],” Tranter said. “It took me a while to get out of bed since I was scrolling Instagram, and she [study group member] caught me scrolling Instagram because it said I was active. It’s harder to study on your own sometimes, so it’s good having people to get you to study.”
For students looking for extra help with writing final papers, please visit the Writing Center’s OU webpage to schedule an appointment, or visit the Writing Center in the Kresge Library, room 212.
