All through high school, middle school and even elementary school, students are taught study techniques to prepare them for the next academic level. Monmouth College students are at the pinnacle of their education, where all of their study skills are expected to cumulatively equal success and develop into necessary skills for future careers. However, out of those Monmouth College instructors who responded to a recent survey on this subject matter, students do not study enough.

Seventy percent of professors agreed students do not know how to study adequately. The responding students felt relatively the same way, as about 90 percent reported they should study more, and 60 percent believe they do not know how to study adequately.

As one participating professor, who wishes to remain anonymous, said, “I feel like there is a plurality of students who don’t understand the time and concentration required to do even adequate work.”

Over the course of at least 12  years of academic instruction, what appears is that not all students have absorbed the skills and techniques necessary to optimize learning. According to several sources, such as the website how-to-study.com and Dartmouth University’s Academic Skills Center, one of the most important aspects of studying is environment. It is extremely important to find a quiet place to study, away from any distractions. On campus, the Mellinger Teaching and Learning Center, Hewes Library and Trotter Lab are great alternatives to busy dorm rooms.

Many Monmouth College professors recommend that students set aside a specific amount of time to study each night in a place where they can devote all of their attention to the task at hand. One professor suggests two to three hours of studying per hour spent in class, but believes that giving your brain time to process the information is also necessary. Students are suggested to study in intervals of 35 minutes, with a 10- to 15-minute break in between.

Studying earlier in the day is also perceived to be more beneficial, because if students study more during the day they can also take better advantage of the service of campus tutors with prepared topics and questions. Dartmouth University’s Academic Skills Center suggests ranking the most challenging classes to the least and study for them in that order throughout the day.

Ninety percent of Monmouth College student respondents admit that other activities take precedence over nightly studying. This is reflected in the classroom, as over 70 percent of responding professors believe half or less of their classes are prepared for each day’s session. Nevertheless, studying for exams takes precedence over other activities with students, as about 70 percent say they will clamp down to review when needed. All of the students surveyed rely on class and personal notes to study, and most professors agree that notes provide the best study tool. An understanding of concepts from class work is also very important. While studying, ask yourself questions about the material and apply concepts outside the content being studied.

James Groccia, author of “The College Success Book: A Whole Student Approach to Academic Excellence,” agrees that while college is meant as another academic milestone for students’ futures, it is also a time for refining social skills and forming relationships. “The key here is striving for and attaining balance between your academic and non academic needs,” says Groccia. Just like in sports, one cannot expect to practice beyond one’s limit. Realistic goals must be set and maintained.

Of those polled, 88 percent of Monmouth College students believe they should study more, but not all believe they know how. Finding a quiet place to study, studying in the right time tables and acknowledging how to correctly study are some ways .to improve these statistics.

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