What are your study habits?

With the 3rd week of college almost to an end, most international students have settled down and found their way around town a bit. While the first midterm exams are coming up, the ‘study mode’ has to switch on for some. Fellow students tell you about their tips and tricks with regard to studying efficiently:

	Polina Naydenova, International Law, exchange student, Bulgaria Where do you prefer to study? I study most comfortably in the university library. If I come across a study problem, or question I cannot solve immediately, I can ask a fellow student to collaborate or help me. When do you preferebly study? Always during the day. I’m simply more focused then. What music do you usually listen to while studying? I usually don’t study with music on. It would distract me too much probably. What do you eat or drink when you have to study hard? Fruits! Oranges, peaches. They make me feel comfortable. Coffee helps me getting focused. How do you make sure you relax a bit? When I studied for a whole day to prepare for exam for example, I meet with friends in the evening. Are there any other notable things you do when you have to study hard? Not really.
Julia Otte, Master Student Marketing Management, Austria Where do you prefer to study? At the university library, it helps me to increase my focus. When do you preferably study? Usually not really at night. Mostly daytime, more or less around office hours. What music do you usually listen to while studying? No music at all. It avoids me getting distracted. What do you eat or drink when you have to study hard? Coffee! It simply enhances my focus. How do you make sure you relax a bit? My cigarettes [laughs]. Wow, this sounds bad huh? Are there any other notable things you do when you have to study hard? I study best during complete silence. Preferably no distraction.
	Teodora Ivanova, International Law exchange student, Bulgaria Where do you prefer to study? Definitely in my room. There is nobody to distract me, I’m comfortable studying there, and it is silent. When do you preferebly study? The mornings. I’m more focused then. What music do you usually listen to while studying? No music. Takes my attention away from studying. What do you eat or drink when you have to study hard? Mostly drink coffee and water. Perfect for a week of hard studying and focused attention. How do you make sure you relax a bit? Go for a walk outside. Think about things other than study materials, and get some fresh air. Are there any other notable things you do when you have to study hard? No, not that I can think of right now.
Milad Beyki, IBA student, Iran Where do you prefer to study? Preferably at home. I take advantage of the quiet environment and the abundance of light. In the university library there is not enough light. When do you preferably study? Mostly either the night or the early morning. If I don’t get up early, I study mostly during the nights. If the topic of study is really interesting, I go on, sometimes even until 2 am. What music do you usually listen to while studying? When I study, I usually listen to traditional Iranian music. It’s very ‘light’ music. It helps me focus more. It has been found in research that the frequencies of the music, are similar to certain frequencies of the brain, which makes you able to focus more on a particular thing. What do you eat or drink when you have to study hard? Mostly tea or coffee. It helps me feeling comfortable and relaxed. How do you make sure you relax a bit? Sports and running. Are there any other notable things you do when you have to study hard? Not opening any social media whatsoever. It avoids me getting distracted. As soon as I do open social media and someone opens a conversation with me, I get distracted more easily. JL