Whether you’re the type of person to set a study schedule with a two-week or a two-hours-before-the-midterm study plan, the one thing UC Berkeley students are collectively doing this time in the semester is studying. However, this begs the question no one has ever really asked themselves: What do our different studying habits say about us? Moreover, what do they say about the type of friend we are? Well, with my limited experience with psychology outside of the YouTube videos recommended to me, allow me to answer the question.
Type 1: The “three-weeks-ahead and color-coordinated Google Calendar” studier
The first — and one of the most respectable studying types — is the type of student to start studying two or three weeks before the exam. You know, around the time the professors actually tell us to start studying for the exam. With color-coordinated notes, these students are detail-oriented, kind and responsible, and these qualities extend far beyond the pages of their textbooks. These types of students make responsible, detail-oriented and kind friends, too (AKA the mom friend). These are the type of friends to plan out a trip and remember to pack all of the snacks or bring you coffee when you have to face the terrifying all-nighter before an exam. I would argue everyone needs these types of friends because they keep you sane and also motivate you to get your life a bit more together, even if it’s only slightly.
Type 2: The normal studier
Let me explain. By “normal,“ I simply mean the type of student to start studying at a reasonable time, about a week or several days before an exam. They took just the right number of notes throughout the semester to know where to begin studying. These types of students make for reliable, comforting and generous friends. They would work alongside you as you both cram for a midterm, but they’re also who you would go out to brunch with on a beautiful day. No matter if you are sad or tired after a long day, they always find a way to cheer you up and make you smile; you can always count on them.
Type 3: The procrastinator
Regardless of how old you are or what year you’re in, everyone has a procrastinator in their lives, and if you’ve been wondering if you’re a procrastinator this long, that person is probably you. The procrastinator is the type of person to wait until a day or two before the exam to start studying, but somehow, they end up studying all of the information they need and do reasonably well on the exam. The procrastinator makes for a fun, energetic and balanced friendship. They are the type of people to always sing to music in the car or make the best out of any situation, no matter how awkward it is. Although they may procrastinate on a few things, the reality is that they will always be there for you, making memories and laughing along the way.
Type 4: The “wing-it” studier
I’m still not 100% positive I should even put this studier behind this one, but the “wing-it” student speaks for themself. These are the type of students to skim over the material a few minutes before the exam and hope for the best. Although they may stress you out slightly, these types of students make for some truly great friends. You’ll share a spontaneous, healthy and hilarious friendship with them. They are the type of person to remind you that there is still a lot of life left to live, and you can go to anything and make the best memories with them. The “wing-it” friend is just as important as the “extra-prepared” friend, and they often come in pairs. And, again, if you can’t think of any pairs with this odd mix of studying habits, you are probably one of them.
