The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 87, No. 18, Ed. 1, Wednesday, October 28, 1998 Page: 3 of 8
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'ordan Smith settled herself
t into tnernair tn iront ot ner
cluttered desk In Sikes Hall.
Vfh thxe'e-pagc speech for sopho-
rrtpre English was due tomorrow
Irid she was only half through now
at 11 p.m.
I "The Elizabethan view of sin"
she thought. "Hmrara."
Reading the paragraph she had
jitst written-she tried to decode.it
into 'something sensible. As she
wasqn the verge of inspiration the
phone rang "Ugh" she sighed.
It was a friend from home she
hadn't talked to In a while they
uWted until she was interrupted by
screams in die hall and running.
She went put to see the what
was gding on. An empty hall a talk
with another; peering neighbor
arid she returned to the desk and
the. looming speech. The clock
now rea4 11:43 p.m. and her task
seemed impossible.
' Smith a sophomore elemen-
tary education major from Wichi-
ta; Kan. was suffering from the
academic form of Murphys taw;
"Whenevcr 'ou hegln worklngon
homework that absolutely must
be done a distraction will always
arrive to whisk you away."
Only the dilemma Isn't hers
alpne. Every student intent on
making the most of the college
experience struggles at some
prfint With avoiding distractions
while doing schoolwork
'"I'll be studying and then the
phpne rings" said Manuel Prado
junior psychology major from
Midland. "( start talking to them
arid1 erid up turning on the TV
and' when the conversation is
over 1 stay in front of the TV and
a ' Text and design
V$y'.Carcn';Etoit'. i&
i Photo By Toiiy Bedard
illustration By Jay Barton
forget about (he homework."
"I'm distracted by relationships
in general" said Chris Bedard
graduate student in Christian edu-
cation from Gilmer. "Qui mainly it
is just a case of not being motivat-
ed to do the work"
Smiths problem is truly of epi-
demic proportions on campus.
What are over-stressed over-
whelmed time-stretched students
to do when they are caught in the
throes of distraction despair?
Ask someone who knows.
Frederick Aquino instructor of
Systematic Theology ' feels the
pain of distraction-burdened 'stu-
dents. Himself
a recent graduate of Southern
Methodist University's competi-
tive doctor of theology program
he held down three part-time jobs
while trying to make the' grade.
He offers seven strategies
study tips and tricks of the trade
to help students fight the distrac-
tions of.llfc.
1 Quality study sessions.
"Many students decide to put
something off and do it all at one
.time right before it is due"
Aquino said "Quality study ses-
sions are more effective than
lengthy or last-minute sessions.
Two 45-mlnute sessions rather
than one two-hour session will be
more effective.
"Also If you work on big pro-
jects in small segments rather
than in one bulk you will have an
easier time."
Dedard agrees. "When 1 don't
put it off and work on It as soon as
I can the results are a lot better."
2. Atmosphere. Where students'
s'utly Plav key role In avoiding
.'- Hfc"
&
:
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distractions Aquino said. "Find
places conducive to study" he
said.
"When I really have to get
something done I go to the library
basement in a faraway comer. No
one is ever there" Prado said.
Aquino notes that more than
one study place to chose from Is
helpful.
"If you only have one place
you can study you may feel con-
fined" he said. "Try to establish
many places where you can work
comfortably."
3. Time management Planning
time for study and schoolwork
essential. "Formulate a weekly
schedule that prioritizes important
matters" Aquino said.
"It is important to slick to your
plans. When someone comes over
during the time you set aside to
study try saying 'I appreciate you
coming over but I really need to
study right now" he safd.
Scheduling meals errand runs
or just chat time with friends is
important he said. "And dont be
so rigid that your schedule
becomes immovable" said
Aquino "Sometimes there are
events that you just can't control."
4. Active learning. In order to
study effectively according to
Aquino students should actively
participate in the classroom expe-
rience. "Make the most of your
classroom sessions by taking good
notes on the assigned readings and
class discussions engaging profes-
sors on the subject matter review-
ing your notes regularly and
attending study sessions offered by
professors" he said.
' 5 Employment of resources:
ACU has a wealth of academic"
resources for the weary student.
' e'p s avtukbte in Brown
Library most computer labs and
the Learning Enhancement Center.
Taking advantage of bn-campus
resources can help cut down on
time and frustration.
6. Group stud)-: Although group
study Is ineffective lor many pco-
ft
le a wcll-planncu'ftnd responsi-
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. ' . t
shorten study time. Aquino said in
the study group he belonged to in
graduate school each person was
responsible for covering a specific
dimension of the material they
were to study. We all worked
togedier and got it done" Aquino
said.
7. Balance: No one advocates
making academia the total realm of
experience at college. Social and
spiritual activities are essential to a
well-rounded life Aquino said.
Seven ways to defeat the
"'. distraction disease
1. Quality study time. Quality study time over quantity time. Workon
projects in shorts segments over a long period of timeinstead of
putting it off until the last minute." "
2. Atmosphere. Find a place where you feel comfortable studying.
Then find another one. Having more than one "study place" helps
when things are hectic all around.
3. Time management. Prioritize. Prioritize. Prioritize. Write' out a
weekly schedule and plan time for studying. Then stick to it.
4. Active learning. The key to effective studying out of class is effec-
tive listening and note taking in class. Participate in class discussions
and take good notes both in class and from assigned reading.
5. Employment of resources.. Use all the resources at your disposal.
6. Group study. Focused plarinedgroup sessions may relieve j
of individual studyRlwaVs brine helpful information and quei
meetings. '.. J . ' ;
7. Balance. Remember what is important inyour life and learn to bal-
ance your time accordingly. Take time out. Socialize. Breathe. Studying
is not life.
' . '
"I found that if you have bal-
ance in life it helps you to avoid
feeling overwhelmed" he said. He
suggested setting aside down time
when homework or any work at
all is off limits. "For me its Sun-
day afternoon watching' football"
he said.
Following these seven strategies
will help but they can't work mir-
acles Aquino said. "It Is important
to look at the overall rationale
behind what you are doing. Ask
'i
yourself "Why am I here at school?
Is this what I really want?" he
said. "Having a vision that tran-
scends the moment will get you
through."
Jordan Smith looks back at the
paragraph she has just read over
for die third time. She imagines
the faces of the little kids she plans
to teach and picks up the red pen
to make corrections.
"Passionate people And ways to
achieve their goals" Aquino said.
iressure
Jtions to
-(&-
1
s
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group can help each other
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The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 87, No. 18, Ed. 1, Wednesday, October 28, 1998, newspaper, October 28, 1998; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth99816/m1/3/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.