Recently published study says students study little and learn less
A study in the recently published book “Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses” by sociologists Richard Arum of New York University and Josipa Roksa of the University of Virginia asserts that students learn little and do less in their college years.
Graphic by Chris Hartley.
The study of more than 2,300 undergraduate students found that 51 percent of the average student’s time is spent socializing, 24 percent sleeping, 9 percent attending class and only 7 percent of their time studying.
The Reflector conducted an informal survey of 100 University of Indianapolis students and asked them to list the primary way they spend their time. Twenty-five percent selected studying, 20 percent chose class time and 19 percent chose sleeping. Socializing earned 12 percent of the selections.
“I would say that a lot of students say they’re busy when they do have more time to study,” said Debbie Spinney, executive director of student development in the Academic Success Center.
Spinney teaches a New Student Experience course in which she advocates time management to her new students.
“I do an exercise in my class where they have to structure their time for a week, including eating, socializing and studying,” Spinney said. “Most of them are surprised at how much free time they have.”
Spinney stresses balance to her students.
“When I talk to students about time management, I always bring in life management as well because you can’t be all work,” Spinney said. “It’s important to take time for yourself, even if you have to schedule it as well.”
Senior English major Melanie Orr has found it especially difficult to manage her time this year. Her class load consists of four credit hours of courses and an eight-hour internship. Orr holds a sales associate position at Victoria’s Secret, an internship position at Wiley Publishing 35 hours a week, and serves as president of Sigma Tau Delta and vice president of the Indiana Collegiate Press Association. She is also the managing editor of Etchings, UIndy’s creative writing magazine.
“My first three years of college, I was terrible at managing everything,” Orr said. “But I’ve found that if you’re up front about your other commitments, everyone is much more accepting of it.”
The best way she knows how to cope with the stress is by sitting down to a nice cup of coffee before she gets started on her work. Orr said it’s important for her to have her coffee nearby; just having it beside her is enough to motivate her.
She still finds time for her hobbies, in spite of her busy schedule.
“I read a lot,” Orr said. “I love to just escape into a book.”
Because of her many commitments, Orr’s day begins at 6 a.m. so she can arrive at her internship by 8:30 a.m. To get enough sleep, she must be in bed by midnight, Orr said, or she’ll oversleep.
Another stress management tool Orr uses are check-lists. She creates one for each day before she goes to bed. For her, it’s relieving to check off the day’s commitments as they are completed.
Assistant Professor of Business Jody Ferise has observed stress in her classes.
“Many students do seem overwhelmed and stressed out and appear to be juggling many things at one time,” Ferise said.
Ferise said there are a fair number of students, however, who are actually balancing work, school, athletics and other things that cause them to be legitimately overloaded and stressed.
Ferise gives some advice for those students who are finding it hard to manage their schedules.
“I try to teach my students this concept called ‘The Highest Best Use’ principle,” she said. “It means that whatever resources you have – time, money and energy– you should always give to the ‘highest best use’ at that moment.”
Ferise said that since there are only 24 hours, one must learn how to put forth the correct amount of time and energy into the most important things at the time.
“Prioritize. Learn to say no,” Ferise said. “Remember that you will not get another chance to do these years. So you should take them seriously, but not too seriously, because then you get terribly stressed out.”
