Ways of Studying

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Speaker 1: I must say I’ve never found it easy to study at home. I’ve tried all sorts of places. One of my friends prefers to study outside, lying on a rug in the garden. I try that from time to time, and it’s nice and airy, though my concentration tends to wander a bit and I find I’m looking at the trees or people passing by rather than at my notes. I think better in my bedroom, where it’s nice and quiet. I’ve got a large desk there to put my computer on, and I set my alarm early and work with a fresh mind before everyone else is up.

Speaker 2: You know how sociable I am normally? Well, it’s strange, but I find people talking really puts me off when I’m trying to study, so I hardly ever work with a classmate, although it’s much more fun. You’d think that the faculty library would be the best place for me then – an academic atmosphere and no distractions. You always get a few people whispering and coughing though, and that annoys me. What I frequently do instead now is put on my personal stereo and have something blasting away; it doesn’t matter what. That blocks out everything else and I get through the work in no time.

Speaker 3: When I do my homework I have to feel right. After sitting on a hard chair all day I need to stretch out with my head on a pillow. Mum says I cannot possibly concentrate like that, but actually I don’t fall asleep as long as I don’t go on too late, and I have the window open to get some fresh air. I’d love to work with music on. A lot of my friends do and they say it really helps them concentrate. The point is, I like music too much. It takes over from whatever I’m supposed to be doing.

Speaker 4: I’m hopeless at doing school projects. I make timetables so that I can complete the project well before the deadline, but I don’t stick to them. I’ve tried everything: strong coffee, quiet rooms, fresh air. Even though I’m wide awake and there’s nothing to disturb me, the work still doesn’t get done. I was getting really worried last week when Mary came round and asked if she could work in my room – hers is too dark and stuffy. I’d never worked with a friend before and so I said no, but she was desperate. Eventually I gave in, and it really worked out for us both. I couldn’t believe it.

Speaker 5: I really like some of the subjects I’m doing this year, particularly maths and physics. I don’t mind studying them at all, although some of the homework assignments we’re given are quite tricky, so I need to be able to work undisturbed. That’s often a bit difficult in our house, unless I put it off until everyone’s in bed. Did you know that my younger brother Fred plays the guitar in a band? I love some of their music. It’s really cool. You’d love it too, but it’s pointless trying to work when he’s playing.