It’s September and once again, time to hit the books. Upperclassmen know the drill when it comes to studying for quizzes and finals, but what about the new students? Freshmen at Oswego State may wonder if they will be able to handle the workload especially when the weather puts everyone “down in the dumps.”

When it comes to completing schoolwork, the library is naturally one of the best places to go to. Penfield Library is a great place to get information through a multitude of resources. To help navigate these resources, there are people like Reference/Instruction Librarian Tina Chan.

If the library happens to be full, there are other places to go to on campus. Check out quiet spaces in the campus center, Hewitt Union or isolated rooms in the academic buildings. “The goal is to find a space that is quiet, safe and comfortable so you can study without being distracted,” Chan said.

Lifestyle Peer Educator Charisse Thompson finds it beneficial to turn off all electronics and go to an isolated location to study.

There are other factors that contribute to the overall studying experience. The best method to study, and the option to study alone or in a group, depends on the individual. Both studying alone and studying in a group are beneficial. Thompson advises students who want to form study groups to get contact information from classmates.

“Get numbers from people in the class to contact in case you miss class and make friends in the process,” Thompson said.

Psychology professor Roger Taylor points out that group study sessions can be particularly useful in that interacting with others may help one fix gaps in their understanding. There are many study group areas in the library, and the Lake Effect Conference Room on the first floor can be reserved online at www.oswego.edu/library/geninfo/lake_effect_conference_room.html.

To help studying with ease, Taylor advises students to keep up to date with their classes so that studying is simply reviewing lessons already learned. He also encourages regular breaks during studying and to avoid cramming or pulling “all-nighters.”

“You can learn material much better if you are well-rested,” Taylor said.

For those who prefer the library, Penfield has many designated study spaces. Chan said Penfield Library consists of four floors: the basement, which contains archives and special publications; the first floor of the library is where the circulation desk, technology desk, computer lab, reference desk and innovative group learning units (IGLUs) are located for students to return or check out library resources, receive help with printing, use the computers, study, work on presentations and ask for help with research. The 24-hour study room and the Lake Effect Cafe are also located on the first floor.

The second floor contains periodicals and various media and equipment that can be checked out, such as DVDs, CDs, headphones and camcorders. Additional group study rooms are also on this floor.

Finally, the third floor is the quiet study floor. This is the floor to go to if minimal noise is desired. Study rooms, corner study areas and study carrels provide students with more places to work.