Becky Kalla, a senior studying athletic training and training to become a physician's assistant, does not have the time to procrastinate - especially not on Facebook.
Recently, a study by Aryn Karpinksi of The Ohio State University and Adam Duberstein of Ohio Dominican University, found that students are suffering from lower grade point averages because they spend time on social networking sites, such as Facebook.
According to the study, students who are not members of Facebook and other social networking sites have higher grade point averages than their Facebooking friends. The study was presented Thursday at the American Education Research Association annual meeting,
Kalla said her major has taught her how to manage her time wisely. She also said Facebook alone is not to blame for her peers' procrastination techniques.
People would always find something to screw around with on the Internet; it's not just Facebook
she said.
Although the study suggests students are spending a large amount of time on their computers, an Ohio University study shows otherwise.
According to OU's Institutional Research's annual Freshmen Involvement Survey, which is administered at the beginning of winter quarter to all freshmen, students are spending less time on their computers than last year.
According to the study, students spend about 3.7 hours each day on their computers, which is less than the 4.1 hours they reported spending on their machines last year.
We thought the number (of hours students spend on their computers) would be high said Sandi Hall, assistant director for the Allen Student Help Center. But someone pointed out a good insight: that students may be spending a lot of time on their phones.
Hall suggests students learn how to manage their time by keeping a journal of how they spend every hour of their day. If students find things like Facebook to be distracting, they should reward themselves with some time for social networking after they have completed their work.
Whether it's the computer and games or Facebook and video games make that a reward for managing your time
Hall said.
For Kalla and some other OU students though, social networking has not imposed upon their grades.
Desi Hill, a junior studying chemistry, said social networking sites are not the only things keeping students from doing their homework and therefore lowering their grades. She said she finds herself spending a lot of time on YouTube while she procrastinates.
I think a lot of things are like that
Hill said. I guess it depends on the person.
Still, for some OU students, Facebook is a welcome distraction from their schoolwork. Freshman Emily Stephenson, who is studying early childhood education, said she uses Facebook when she cannot focus on her work anymore.
While working on homework
I get bored of my homework and I'm looking for something to do
Stephenson said.
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Libby Cunningham
