Frisbees are flying, flowers are blooming and sunbathers officially have taken over the greens. Spring is here, and some students are having a hard time finding motivation to study.
For Ohio University undergraduates, though, Spring Quarter signifies two things: rising temperatures and grade point averages, according to data provided by the Office of Institutional Research.
In the 2004-2005 academic year, GPAs increased from an average of 2.999 Winter Quarter to 3.017 Spring Quarter ' a trend that stretches back at least five years, according to data provided by the Office of Institutional Research.
Despite higher GPAs, students are not taking fewer than the average 16 credit hours each quarter, which is the number of credit hours recommended for students to take to graduate in four years, according to the data.
Some students have taken the advice of OU upperclassmen who have experienced the lure of spring.
My sophomore friends told me there is more studying Winter Quarter
so I took 20 credit hours during Winter Quarter ... I definitely notice a difference (in study habits) freshman Liz Follet said.
While many students are enjoying the fun and sun after class, some students are still taking heavy course loads.
I actually have a lot more work Spring Quarter but I studied more Winter Quarter. I should be doing work right now
freshman Amber Froelich said as she sat in the shade of Tiffin Hall, watching a group of guys toss a baseball.
Others, though, enjoy the weather while still preparing for classes. Milea Maxwell, a freshman, sat studying on a towel outside Biddle Hall.
I'm taking 19 credit hours and I think things are the same. I do a lot of studying outside
Maxwell said. There's definitely more incentive to study during winter. It's hard to get motivated in the spring.
Robert Roe, an assistant professor of psychology, taught Psychology 101 both Fall and Winter quarters.
They (students) are learning good test-taking skills
good study skills
he said. They've had Winter and Fall Quarter to hone these skills
so they're ready in the spring.
Students in Psychology 101 are typically, but not always, freshmen, said Roe, adding that college can sometimes be overwhelming at first.
Probably a lot of it has to do with study technique
he said. When you come in as a freshman Fall Quarter
you're not used to being in college.
Charlene Kalenkoski, an economics professor, said the trend could be attributed to students retaking courses from fall and winter during Spring Quarter.
I end up seeing the same students because I teach (economics) in the fall
winter and spring
