Students Share Tips for Time Management and Studying on Bison Hill

September 25, 2020

While it’s hard to believe, the fall semester is almost halfway over on Bison Hill, which means students’ workloads are piling up and midterms are here. Students at OBU work hard to make good grades and stay focused during this busy time of the academic term. With that in mind, we sought out some tips and pointers from a few students, sharing their experience and insight on some best ways to study effectively and power through those middle-of-the-semester blues.

“This time of the year can be very stressful and often times chaotic,” said sophomore Kate Holcomb, elementary and special education major. She noted that not only are classes and homework loads demanding at this point in the semester, but this time of year also brings time commitments with family and friends.

“Often times doing homework alone can cause me to panic or stress out. One thing I do is plan out my day and plan when to study. Time management is a big part of college. I try balancing my day between going to class, hanging out with friends, and studying. Before studying I always make sure that I have eaten and drank a lot of water so that way I am able to focus. I give myself a three-hour time slot to study or do homework but in between that I will take breaks, stand up and stretch and things of that nature.”

Staying focused can be challenging, especially when gathering in groups is limited due to COVID-19. Now more than ever, students are having to study in areas other than their dorm lobbies or friends’ dorm rooms, in order to facilitate social distancing.

There are several places on campus that are great spots for studying. The Geiger Center (GC) has plenty of tables and chairs available for students to use as they study alone or gather with friends, while remaining physically distanced. The GC is also a great place to study because of the easy access to Starbucks coffee and snacks to fuel your mind as you study for your next Civ exam, chemistry midterm or business test.

The Mabee Learning Center, OBU’s library, is another great place to study, especially if you need a quieter atmosphere than the GC in order to focus. The library has several areas with couches and tables to sit while you study and chairs have been placed six feet apart for physical distancing. In addition, the library also has study rooms available on the second and third floors, where students can study independently. The study rooms have tables and chairs, as well as a whiteboard, where students can take off their masks and study privately. The auditorium in the basement can be booked in advance for students to use to study in groups of five students or less. The library is open from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. each Friday; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday; and on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Library Bubble is open 24 hours a day and may be used for round-the-clock studying. Face coverings must be worn and physical distancing observed. ID card scanning is required for entry when the main library is closed.

Julie Rankin, director of library services, encourages students to take advantage of studying in the library.

“The OBU library offers a variety of options for physically distanced study spaces, from private study rooms and carrels to large open tables and an auditorium. In the library, students have easy access to individual research assistance from our library team, all our digital databases and online materials, and of course our print books and journals. The library is also home to the Milburn Student Success Center which offers study sessions and writing assistance in the evenings.”

Local coffee shops are another great place to get some homework or studying done. Being in another atmosphere than your dorm allows you to break up your routine and stay on track. Coffee being readily available when you hit a wall and need a nap makes for a perfect study break as well. Shawnee is home to several coffee shops with great atmospheres for studying. You can explore Shawnee, support a local business and tackle your goals all at the same time.

Not only can studying be difficult, it can also be stressful. Figuring out a good balance between schoolwork and leisure time is important to stay on track. Each and every student will experience stress in different ways, so figuring out what works best for you in managing your stress levels is essential this time of the semester.

Senior nursing major Abbie Kennedy shares some of her tips on managing stress.

“To manage my stress, I have to make sure that I plan every detail of every day out and write it down. I use my planner and write down specific times I have to study. This helps things not pile up and helps me not get stressed. I usually study by myself so I can stay focused on the task I have for that study time. To study, I use flashcards a lot and I study in the library or at a coffee shop. This helps with having a quiet and focused environment so I don’t get distracted. I also try to turn my phone on do not disturb and put it far away from me, so I won’t look at it.”

Rachel Mauldin, senior communication studies major, likewise offered some tips and best practices on lowering one’s stress level amidst the demands of homework, projects, papers and midterms.

“A few of the things I do in order to help reduce stress include keeping a planner and sticking to it; filling it out with assignments, meetings, and daily tasks; and checking it through the day. I also take good notes during class, then while looking at the study guide, I go through my notes and highlight or underline all the points I need to study.

“I also make sure I can explain what I am studying to someone else. This helps connect the dots and bring confidence in what I’m studying. I take breaks, since studying and doing homework for hours on end doesn’t help you remember what you’re trying to learn. I always set goals, then once I meet a goal, I take a breather, like checking my phone, getting ice cream, or talking with a friend. Then once that little 10-to-15-minute break is over, I go back to completing my next goal, I try not to stress cram everything...that doesn’t help at all. You either know it or you don’t. So, take the time, study, and once you feel like you have a good idea of what you’re studying and can’t make anything else stick, let it be.”

Each student is different, but what’s most important is for everyone to find what works for them and then discipline themselves to stick with it. When you do that, you can reduce stress and perform your best on the task at hand, whether it be studying for a test, writing a paper or completing a project.