Many students around campus were interviewed about their study habits and routines. All the students interviewed said that being organized and planning helps them not to be overwhelmed by last-minute studying. Many even write planners and do assignments in order by the due date. Days before the test or quiz they attend office hours, whether they need it or just getting extra practice problems in. Sophomore Sara Jo Pierce, junior Sophie Piller and freshman Abby Kate Jackson all shared their regular study habits.

Pierce mentioned that studying in advance helps her prepare the most for upcoming assignments.

“Normally, if I have a big test or quiz coming up, I study at least a couple of days before. So, I can just go over all the material we’ve done in class. I also try to attend office hours days before the test or quiz,” Pierce said.

Jackson said having a quiet space helps her the best or studying. In a loud space students are not able to focus and avoid being distracted.

“I’ll study in my bedroom because it is a really quiet space. I usually study for a little bit and then I’ll take a break, and then I’ll go back and I’ll study some more, and then I’ll study again the next day, the same way,” Jackson said.

Making a planner increases productivity in many students. This is why Piller said that the best way for her to study is to do her assignments in the order of when it is due.

“I start by going through and writing down what I have to do and then I just do it one by one,” Piller said. “Normally, the way I study is to look at the coursework page and figure out what I have to do in the upcoming days, whether it’s tests or assignments, and then I always do it pretty much in order of when it’s due.”

Pierce agrees with Piller that a quiet environment is when she is the most productive and gets the most work done. She also thinks having a separate room from her bedroom to study helps her to focus.

“I have a room in my house were I do all of my studying. It is not my bedroom, because normally you’re supposed to have a different room where you go to study so that you can always go in there and focus,” Pierce said.

Procrastination is the death of many students, but for Jackson, she starts preparing for tests and quizzes several days before to make sure she truly understands the materials.

“I would usually say around three days before the test or quiz I start studying, so then I can start getting the information in my head,” Jackson said.

Pierce said that when she studies, most of the time it is better for her to not listen to music because it distracts her.

“Sometimes I do, but sometimes I find it’s better if I’m studying math or a subject that requires more thinking. I don’t listen to music because it kind of distracts me, and I just end up singing,” Pierce said.

Piller likes to listen to calming music but agrees with Pierce saying that sometimes it is still distracting.

“I listen to a playlist that has some of my favorite songs on it, but sometimes that’s like a little bit too much for me.” Piller said. “I’ll normally just listen to that music like my comfort music when I’m doing homework.”

Jackson said that the best way for her to prepare for tests or quizzes is to quiz herself.

“I do like taking practice tests and office hours are really helpful,” Jackson explained. “I don’t use flashcards as much, but I do use a Quizlet sometimes, so that’s good. But yeah, most of the time just quizzing myself, that’s what I do.”

Pierce agrees with Jackson saying that quizzing herself helps her prepare the most.

“I do practice problems or, if it’s a vocab quiz or something like that, I use flashcards and sometimes I use Quizlet.”