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As a tribute to the many generations of Uni students who
have passed through the library, we offer this review
of the Five Stages of Studying.
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Stage 1: The Warm Up
This stage of studying appears to an outside observer
almost to resemble leisure reading. The student is generally
relaxed, exhibiting no signs of anxiety or stress. Supporting
furniture is often arranged to be used in ways never intended
by the manufacturer. A good novel may, in fact, take the
place of the text book for extended periods of time during
this stage. (1988) |
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Stage 2: Getting Down
to Business
In this stage the student generally comes to the realization
that it is time to get serious about reading the appropriate
textbooks required to make a passing grade (at the very
least). The student may be seen moving to a more appropriate
locale, such as a desk or table. The surprising discovery
is often made that the latter piece of furniture can support
multiple books comfortably. The general attitude is still
relaxed. (1989) |
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Stage 3: Study begins in earnest
Accustomed to the convenience of a table, the student will
begin taking notes on the reading, the better to retain knowledge
until the test is over. Notice the distinct slouch in posture
characteristic of this stage. (1988) |
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Stage 4: Desperate Concentration
With deadlines looming and the material still impenetrable
to all but the most neurotic and fun-deprived of human
beings, desperation grips the student and the slouch of
stage 3 becomes so pronounced that the student must enlist
the aid of a limb in order to assist the head in resisting
gravity's pull. In this particular instance, the sweltering
heat of the library is not helping matters any (is that
lone fan struggling to cool this entire room?!!!)
(1987) |
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| Another view of stage 4.
From this angle, the full arc of the slouch is visible,
and the slow but sure transition from frustration to apathy
is readily apparent. |
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Stage 5: Meltdown
Need we say more? The student on the right has collapsed
into both hands, notebooks closed in front of her where
they can torture her no more. The student on the left
has simply retreated into the world of dreams, where Calculus
is but a phantom that can be dismissed with a wave of
the hand. |
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