The Observer, September 8, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 2
Just in CASE...
... you need a quiet place to study
Finding the right place to study is crucial to getting the most out of your study time. Here are some tips to make your studying more efficient:
Create a quiet atmosphere in your residence hall or at home
To guarantee some peace and quiet, you'll need to
• study at a desk or table
• ignore your e-mail unless you need to read your mail for your classes
• get off the Internet unless you need it for your homework
• stop answering your phone
• turn off the TV, radio, and music player
Establish regular study hours
Create a schedule, and post it above your desk, in your planner, and on your door so that the schedule reminds you and your friends that you mean business.
Create a realistic study schedule
Organize your study time into two- to four-hour time blocks. Within these time blocks, study for at least 50 minutes before taking a brief five- to 10-minute break. At the very end of your study time, reward your efforts by relaxing.
Protect your study time
If friends or family members tend to interrupt your study time, set some guidelines for them. They will take their cues from you regarding your study schedule. If you easily abandon your schedule when any invitation or request comes your way, your friends and family won't hesitate to interrupt. However, if you protect your study time, then those who care about your success will do the same.
Find places to study on campus
If you plan to study on campus, make it a quiet place. You may convince yourself that studying at Wackadoo's really works well for you. Guess what, it's not true! Your mind can only concentrate on one idea at a time. When you study in a social setting, your mind is actually bouncing back and forth between your books and what's going on around you!
For more information about effective studying and other tips to help make this semester the best, visit http://studentaffairs.cwru.edu/education.
