“Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardor and diligence” – Abigail Adams.

As college students, there is one constant in our lives: studying. Or, more specifically, studying when you want to do other things, like working, hanging out with friends or going to The Ram’s copy nights. Despite all the things you’d rather be doing, as a college student, you owe yourself a committed, deliberate approach to studying, as it can shape both your learning and your life.

Before we can discuss the benefits of studying, we must define what studying is. Some students may say it’s staring at a page of notes until your eyes water, while others might say it’s drilling flashcards until your mind goes numb or putting your notebook under your pillow before you go to sleep and hoping for the best. The Oxford Dictionary claims that study is the “devotion of time and effort to the pursuit of knowledge, esp. by means of written sources, observation, or experiment.” 

That definition is a little vague, but it’s tough to define something as broad as studying. Let’s narrow our scope to what studying does to you — or rather, what studying does to your brain.

Studying rewires your neural pathways, creating new connections and strengthening old ones in a process known as neuroplasticity. That same process helps you learn a new language or instrument — and helps your brain rewire after a traumatic brain injury. Evidently, studying isn’t just good for your GPA; it’s good for your brain. It has benefits that can span for your entire life, yet many students aren’t taking full advantage of it.

The College Student Report, an annual survey conducted by the National Survey of Student Engagement, found that most college students study for less than half of the expected time. Furthermore, some students spend time studying using passive strategies, like rereading notes and textbooks, which have little to no benefit on test performance. But by approaching studying with purpose, students can make the most of their time. 

With all that being said, do not take this to mean I love studying. I enjoy it, sure, but sometimes, I’d rather be doing something else. Sometimes, I’d rather be doing literally anything else. When it’s time to study chemistry, for example, I consider painting something just so I can watch it dry. Since studying can be unpleasant, effective studying is all about the approach.

First, you cannot view it as a chore. Let me paint you a picture. It’s a Tuesday morning, and you’re home from break. You were planning to wash the dishes after breakfast, but then your mom asked you to wash them. Do you want to wash the dishes anymore? No, you don’t. Studying is the same way! If you view it as an obligation, you either won’t do it or you’ll do a terrible job out of displeasure. This is known as the framing effect: the way information is presented and understood influences decision-making and perceptions. And framing isn’t only about willingness — it affects motivation and engagement. As such, we must consider reframing how we go about our schoolwork.

I always reframe my approach before I sit down to study. I think about why I chose my majors: because I enjoy them and find them interesting. So when it’s time to read 100 pages for history class, I say (out loud — that part is very important), “I get to learn history, and I will enjoy it!” And I do the same for economics — but substitute the word “history” for the word “economics.” This tool works for me! It’s up to you to find the mindset that works for you. 

Now that you’ve got an approach, you need to figure out how exactly you should study, which can vary dramatically across majors. For humanities majors, studying is mostly writing, synthesizing and explaining texts. When I was studying for a history midterm last semester, I taught my mom everything we were learning by explaining it to her in my own words. My poor mother now knows everything — and I mean everything — about the Cherokee Removal of 1838 and the enclosure of Appalachia. 

STEM majors, on the other hand, focus more on mathematical problem solving, so studying is more about hands-on practice than reading. For example, in statistics, my professor provides “Practice on Your Own” (POYO) questions, and before every test, I’ll complete each POYO problem at least twice. But no matter your major, you must engage in active study techniques, like connecting topics to real life and explaining material out loud. These techniques are proven to increase retention and grades, as well as boost neuroplasticity.

But remember, these benefits come only from effective study. As Abigail Adams wisely said, you do not learn passively — you must make a consolidated, purposeful effort to learn. So finish reading this paper, save or recycle it, open a book and get to work!

Emma Kelner, FCLC ’29, is an economics and history double major from Staten Island, New York.