With so much going on around Florida A&M University’s campus, it could be hard for students to focus on studying.
Some people have said that college is a place for fun and creating everlasting memories.
However, other students have argued that college is first a place for education.
Lanise Harris, a freshman, said she tries to balance both business and pleasure.
“I try to study as much as I can while still maintaining my social life,” said Harris, from St. Petersburg. “It’s a lot different from high school. I didn’t have to study so hard, nor was I old enough to get into any club.”
Harris said she is easily distracted from schoolwork, but tries to study at least four days during the week.
“I always leave Fridays as my free day,” she said. “That’s my day to rest because I study so much throughout the week.”
Harris also said that in order for her to study thoroughly, the setting has to be quiet and comfortable.
She said she would rather study alone to avoid interruptions.
“My motivation is either study or fail,” Harris said.
Some students, like Courtney Gwyn, a sophomore business administration student, find themselves studying everyday.
Gwyn said that studying is a priority.
“I’m currently taking six classes, and I’m involved in extracurricular activities around campus,” said Gwyn, who currently holds a 3.5 GPA. “Studying is a must, so part of my social life had to be cut.”
Gwyn said she prefers to study in groups as opposed to studying alone.
She also finds it easier to study during the afternoon or early in the evening because it is difficult to do so at night when she is tired.
“When you study in groups, you may begin to understand material that you weren’t too sure on or be able to help out a classmate in the same way,” she said.
Gwyn said that study groups are very helpful because it is easier for her to schedule study time into her days.
“I’m not a big fan of going to professors during their office hours,” she said. “I’m pretty good at organizing my notes and I just write them over and over so that I can process them in my brain.”
Professors agree that repetition and rewriting notes helps with processing information.
Dr. Rick Campbell, an English professor, said that cramming notes is never a good idea.
He also said it could be confusing if students wait to study right before a test.
“Repetition is always good,” said Campbell, who advises students to study all the time. “It’s not a good idea to cram…study after each class to organize what you just learned in class.”