Bernarda Carranza
Staff Writer
With finals week approaching, students were asked what their preferred method of studying was in a recent informal survey.
Among the surveyed group of 15 students, eight said they prefer to study by themselves in a quiet environment. Four said they can listen to a medium to low level of music while studying by themselves and three said they do not mind studying by themselves or in groups with low or no music.
“I get too distracted if I study with other people,” senior biology major Enrique Esteinou said. “Better now than never.”
“I like a medium level of noise,” senior business major Ashley Zamora said. “I don’t like it silent but it can’t be loud.”
“If I’m studying for something like math I use music with lyrics,” said sophomore art major Robert Oshodin. “If I’m studying for something like bio or any subject I can paraphrase I’ll use music with no words, classical. But if I’m reading a book I need utter silence.”
Students that said they can be by themselves and study in groups agreed that it depended on the class they were studying for and what was most convenient.
“It depends on the class, like for my biology class I usually like to study in a group, but for my mass media class I do it by myself,” freshman biology major Genesis Lopez said. “When I do study I do listen to music because I get focused more.”
“I like to put some music on and slowly go over it (by myself). Study groups do help with certain classes though,” sophomore business major Wesly Tan said.
Professors also gave insight and tips as to what the best ways for students to prepare for the week of finals.
“I think probably the best way to prepare is having them prepare all along,” Assistant Professor of Psychology Nadine Nakamura said. “I think a lot of people fall into the trap of waiting until the end. So, I think if you are doing all of the reading and going to lectures and doing that kind of stuff you are in a much better position to be successful and consistent.”
Both Nakamura and Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Al Clark agreed that each student has their own method of studying, whether it is in a quiet atmosphere, alone or in a group. They recommended each student find the way their method to achieve results.
Clark emphasized the importance of being able to plan ahead of time and have time to relax.
“You always need to take a break,” Clark said. “Even if it’s just an hour a day to take a walk or to chat with friends and go have a coffee. You have to take some time away from the preparation.”
“Take that time for yourself to calm yourself down,” Clark said.
Bernarda Carranza can be reached at bernarda.carranza@laverne.edu.
