The pressure of making new friends and adjusting to a roommate combined with the seemingly-endless freedom that college provides can tempt some students to push studying to the recesses of their minds…

But not the successful students.

The ones that are able to navigate the first few hectic weeks of college are the students that make studying work for them.  But how does studying in college differ from studying in high school?

Ryan Flick, a freshman sports and exercise science major, said the differences between approaching homework in high school and college starts as soon as the professor gives the assignment.

“Teachers in high school told us everything,” said Flick, who earned a 3.8 GPA his first semester. “They would tell us to read a section from this book or study this sheet, but in college you find it necessary to do everything.”

It’s only normal that as freshmen start a new chapter of their lives, that they find new activities and new ways to spend their time.

Flick and Kevin Geraux, a freshman journalism communications major, agree that one of the biggest hurdles in getting homework done at college is dividing up their daily routine to enable them to fit in all of their interests.

“Developing good time management and study habits is hard,” Geraux said. “It’s difficult to fit class time and studying as well as time for other activities together.”

But, it all isn’t gloom and doom for freshmen like physician assistant major Kyrene Haynes. He points out that after the adjustment period to the professor’s methods, everything has gotten easier.

“The hardest thing was keeping up on studying every day” Haynes said. “However, after the first test, things have gone smoothly.”

Although these freshmen have all succeeded in conquering their first semesters, each have perfected their own way of studying.

Flick prefers to study by himself while reviewing material discussed in class.

“I usually just study my notes from class,” he said.  “I just reread and reread them.”

Haynes, who earned a perfect 4.0 her first semester, and Geraux not only share a strong affection for studying in groups, but also for a dependable study partner – note cards.

“Group study is good because all of the material is being said out loud,” Geraux said. “Writing note cards also helps keep everything in your memory.

If you haven’t found your successful study niche as quickly as these students, there are plenty of ways that the university can help you start developing those good habits. Self-development courses as well as a supportive advisor can go a long way on your journey to that mythical 4.0 GPA.

Although each student had their own roads to success, they all agreed on that there is no wrong or right way to studying in college – it just matters what works for you.

You may also enjoy reading about some of Gannon’s finest students’ favorite places to put these study habits to practice! Check it out.