Students study in a wide variety of ways. They may study with music or in a silent room, all alone or in a group setting. There are real study habits that are effective and scientifically proven to work. All students hear the same study tips, “study three hours for every credit hour that you’re taking”, “the library is the only place to get the most out of studying” and “you should do more than just read over your notes to cram the night before a test.” Every student studies their own way, so it is hard to claim all of these tricks work for everyone. 

Brooklyn Butcher, freshman international business major, had mixed feelings regarding the library and study habits.

“I completely plan out my day the day before,” said Butcher. “I’m somewhere in between. Sometimes it’s a really productive day. I get too distracted by everything around me.” 

Emily McGinnis, a freshman elementary education major, has a good study habit of emailing her professors after class for tips on what to study.

“I always email them for review questions to go over,” said McGinnis.

Another study habit that Emily uses is to start a study group with her classmates.

“If they understand a concept better than you, then you guys can all figure it out,” said McGinnis. 

Study rooms are also available in Lincoln Hall on every floor, and in the LLC for people who don’t frequent the library.

“Whenever it’s loud in here, my room, I go to the study lounge.” said Brandon Fowler, freshman actuarial science major.

When asked what their bad study habits were, Butcher, McGinnis and Fowler all answered with procrastination. It’s inevitable, but using the tips your WU 101 professor gave you actually works, even if you weren’t paying attention during that lecture. 

Sean Bird, the associate dean of Mabee Library and The Center for Student Success and Retention, teaches these tips to his students in his Washburn Experience classes.

“I would encourage students to look at the learning scientists websites, which is learningscientists.org,” said Bird. “Students need to have a study plan; designated study time, so that they aren’t just studying in their free time.”  

Every student is going to have a different approach to studying, but taking tips from other students and faculty is always helpful. At the end of the day, lots of the students at Washburn University want to be active and involved, but we’re all here to get an education. Studying in a positive way will keep us at the University where we both learn and have fun.

Edited by Adam White, Brianna Smith, Jessica Galvin