Which Type of Studier Are You? - NMU Blog

The Social Butterfly

Description: Loves to study with friends but doesn’t get much done when they do. The social butterfly is a true extrovert and feels recharged when they’re around their friends, giving them that serotonin boost that they need to get them through a late-night exam cram session. The Social Butterfly Studier is easy to spot, you just need to know what to look for: open textbooks and an open laptop with a timed-out screen.

Study accessory of choice: The iPhone/Airpods combo, but only one airpod in use at any given time so that they can hear when there is a new conversation-starting that may need their input.

Ideal study location qualities:

• Large enough tables for friends to join
• A talk-friendly space
• Outlets to charge their electronics

The best study spot location for the social butterfly is: 1st floor of Jamrich Hall (The high-tops near Starbucks)

This is possibly the best place for The Social Butterfly to spread their wings (see what I did there?). The high-tops allow these students to invite 6 of their closest friends to join forces and ace that exam. Its proximity to Starbucks give this student an option to grab some friends take frequent study break walks over to the cafe. This is also an area that experiences a high volume of foot traffic so the studiers who need extreme quiet typically do not choose this area, so you won’t be disturbing anyone with some light chatter! If you’re one of those quiet studiers, don’t worry, we’ll get to you next.

The Isolator

Description: The Isolator knows themselves well. They get easily distracted and have mastered a very specific study ritual that guarantees them a passing exam grade when done the right way. The isolator studies alone and most definitely has their own study playlist scattered with a combination of classical melodies and low-fi versions of their favorite songs. The isolator sets aside 2-hour blocks and lets their friends know that they won’t be replying to any texts, TikToks, or Snapchat group chats during that time. The isolator prefers to get all of their studying done in one sitting so that they can enjoy their weekend without worry.

Study accessory of choice: A 50 pack of note cards, laptop/charger, a full reusable water bottle, their favorite pen (and an additional identical pen for backup), and a granola bar for brain fuel.

Ideal study location qualities:

• Quiet (preferably with a door)
• A window or two (but not near any high-traffic areas)
• A whiteboard to write out their thoughts

The best study spot location for the isolator is: Whitman Hall Atrium

This is a great option for studiers like the Isolator because Whitman Hall is only home to a handful of majors and does not experience a very high velocity of foot traffic. There are also plenty of classrooms to burrow into if you prefer to close a door behind you when you study. Whitman hall also has tall windows with ample amounts of natural lighting to ensure that even when you are isolated, you don’t feel trapped!

The Soccer Mom (or Dad)

Description: The soccer mom comes PREPARED. The soccer mom is a great person to study with because they will have a charger for every device, snacks for themselves and anyone else who is hungry, they never forget their textbooks or their 35 pack of Papermate felt-tip multi-colored pens and they have also pre-made the Quizlet with all exam study guide questions answered. The only downfall to studying with the Soccer Parent is they need ALOT of space. With all  of the gizmos and gadgets that the Soccer Parent brings to the table, we’re talking two students at a table, max. The soccer parent also goes the name “The Sprawler” because of the sheer surface area that they require to get the job done. 

Study Accessory of Choice: Five star five-subject notebook, assorted pens & pencils, papermate 35-pack of felt tip markers, a salty snack, a sweet snack, a water bottle, a deck of flashcards, 3 textbooks (minimum), a blanket incase they get cold iPad, iPad charger, laptop, laptop charger, airpods, coffee… need I go on?

Idea study location qualities: Large table space

The best study spot location for the soccer mom or dad is: The Woods study rooms 

The study room nearest to their dorm room is the best place for The Soccer Parent to spread out and set-up camp. The Woods study room tables are on wheels so if you need extra space, you can combine two tables together. The Woods study rooms are also located in the dorms, and in the case that you forget a study accessory, you can just run back to your room to retrieve it. The Woods study rooms also have TVs and Whiteboards placed within the rooms for students to utilize.

The Paperless Student

Description: It’s 2022! The paperless student is all about efficiency and convenience and they don’t need much to get the job done. The paperless student is also easy to spot. Have you ever been sitting in class and the student in front of you is taking notes on their iPad and their handwriting looks like a font? That’s them! The paperless student is organized and travels light, their textbooks, notes, homework, and flashcards can all be accessed from an iPad, Laptop, or even their phone! Because the Paperless Student travels lightly, they may appear under-prepared but trust us, they have more tools backed up on their internal hard drive than you could ever imagine.

Study accessory of choice:

• Ipad with an attachable keyboard
• Wireless mouse
• The Goodnotes organization app

Idea study location qualities:

• An aesthetic environment
• Semi-quiet conditions
• Adequate tablespace

The best location for the paperless student is: Anywhere! 

We’re ALL jealous of the Paperless student’s flexibility. Depending on the season you can grab a laptop and a hammock and set up outside of Meyland Hall, or cozy up in the Winter in the Northern Center. You could also grab a bite to eat at Fieras and hammer out some work in the study nook on the right side of the Learning Resource Center or even just stay in your own dorm, the possibilities are endless. 

The One-Minute Wonder 

Description: Ahhh, the one-minute wonder. We’ve all been there, somehow all of your class’ exam schedules have synced up and you have to make some hard decisions. Do you lock yourself in a study room all weekend and risk damaging your mental health or do you hang out with your friends and decompress from the previous week, save all of your studying for Sunday, wake up on Sunday morning, still in blissful ignorance, and then realize that you are now faced with the ever-familiar “all-nighter” in an effort to compress 3 days worth of studying into a 12 hour time period,  also damaging your mental health. The one-minute wonder is also highly caffeinated and on Sunday’s they're definitely dressed in a hoodie/sweatpants combo. If you see the One-Minute Wonder Monday post-exam, give them a hug, they probably need it.

Study Accessory of Choice: 

• Iced coffee/energy drink
• Headphones (both AirPods, gotta put it into extra-focus mode)
• A pen that's two complex sentences away from being out of ink

Ideal study location qualities:

• Private and spacious
• Open for 24 hours
• Student ID (For the midnight Cattrax runs)

The best location for the one-minute wonder: The Woods, Lodge

The Lodge is the perfect place for the One Minute Wonder because, for students, it is open 24 hours of the day. After 6:00 p.m. and especially on Sundays, The Lodge starts to feel more like a library because most students are quietly studying or preparing themselves for the week ahead. The Lodge is also close to numerous vending machines and Cattrax in case you need to take a break or refuel with some iced coffee. Besides the obvious study features, The Lodge is also beautiful and surrounded by windows so if you are lucky enough to catch a spot on a snowy day, it really does feel like you’re in a snowglobe!

Takeaway

No matter what your study habits are, how much table space your study habits require, or how much caffeine you have to consume to get you through, there is a spot that is just right for you on NMU’s campus, you just have to get out there and find it and we hope this article helps!