University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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Taking time out of studying, ISA freshmen Michael Cooper and Zack Riegle chat in the UGli. Small breaks were needed to get through the long study hours that were needed to understand course material. S. Ted as itkmana photo An open exchange of ideas helps LSA freshmen Adrian Moron, Zoraida Martinez, chemistry major Chris Grant and Molly Meade get through their course work. For some classes it was necessary to work through the homework with the help of others. S. Tedjasukmana photo 70 MlCHIGANENSlAN

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Studying outside the Residential College, freshmen Ariel Kiken and Carolyn Summer take advantage of a sunny day. Many students could be seen studying m various grassy spots around the campus during good weather. K. Malta photo Trying to find just the right spot, junior biology major Katie Reynolds gets comfortable for a long day of studying at the Undergraduate Library. The UGLi was a louder and less formal alternative to the Graduate Library. K. Maher photo I LOVE THE PEOPLE YOU FIND AT THE RENDEZ-VOUS CAFE... THE ENVIRONMENT IS VERY CONDUCIVE TO CONVERSATION, WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO STUDY. ACADEMICS 69

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BENEFICIAL LONGEVITY FOUND IN GROUP LEARNING It came from both sides: sitting quietly bending over their studies, some students wondered how the lively study group sitting next to them ever got anything done while they, chatting over the class matters, probably pondered the same about them. Most assumed it was just a manner of habit or social inclination. However, University psychologist Oscar Ybarra suggested that there were other factors in play. Across all age groups, the more socially engaged participants were, the lower their level of cognitive impairment and the better their working memory performance, he explained. Popular consensus for maintaining and improving mental faculties involved usually solitary, intellectual activities such as reading or doing a crossword puzzle. It was common to see crossword enthusiasts searching for four-letter words during lecture, I enjoy doing crossword puzzles because they are fun and challenging and sometimes I can multi-task but if the crossword is hard then you do have to choose between one or the other, said senior biology-psychology major Marco Fuji. There were as many different places to study on campus as there were factors in deciding whether or not to study alone; It will depend on the subject matter, like for Orgo I will study by myself because I need to concentrate but then for other classes I have to work in groups to get anything done, said sophomore engineering major Ryan King. While some chose the intense silence of the Graduate Library, some people really did need the extra stimulation found in coffee houses and the Undergraduate Library. I normally study alone, but I tend to get a lot more done with groups, music, and noise, said freshman engineering major Erik Powers. Although Ybarra ' s findings only established a possible link and not a real cause, he asserted that it might have some insight in social and cognitive evolution into cultures. For many courses the exchange of ideas was most helpful in understanding the subject matter, although there could be other situational factors as well. Basically it ' s not necessary to need that sense of belonging when studying with someone else, but it is more comfortable and less stressful, Powers said. BY KATHRYN TORRES I NORMALLY STUDY ALONE, BUT I TEND TO GET A LOT MORE DONE WITH GROUPS, MUSIC, AND NOISE. ACADEMICS 7 1