Facebook Vs. Schoolwork

Facebook Vs. Schoolwork

College students with Facebook accounts study less and have lower GPA’s than non-users, according to a study done by Aryn Karpinski, a doctoral student at Ohio State University and Adam Duberstein from Ohio Dominican University.

            Karpinski and Duberstein surveyed a total of 219 students at Ohio State University. This included 102 undergraduate students and 117 graduate students. Out of these 219 there were 148 that had a Facebook account. They found that students that have a Facebook spend an average of 1 to 5 hours studying per week while non-user spend an average of 11 to 15 hours studying per week.

            Some students use Facebook as a distraction rather than a way to learn. This causes students to get so use to being on Facebook that they can’t find the self-control to get off it. Too much socializing on Facebook may cause students to push their schoolwork aside.

            Virginia Pylant is a constant Facebook user who finds she sometimes is unable to pull herself away from Facebook to do schoolwork.

“My Facebook is almost always on my computer, even if I’m not home or around my computer,” said sophomore international studies major Virginia Pylant. “Most of my work is done either on a computer or online, so I am tempted to get distracted and look on Facebook.”

            Facebook may not lead directly to lower grades but there is a relationship between Facebook and the amount of studying students are getting done. According to Karpinski and Duberstein’s study, Facebook users GPA’s average around 3.0 to 3.5 while non-users GPA’s average from 3.5 to 4.0. Grades that are being affected from lack of studying due partially to Facebook use may show that these students lack self-control.

            “I think for those with challenges in self-control Facebook could impair learning and academic performance as a distracting factor,” said Mark Weist, a psychology professor at University of South Carolina.

            If students did not have Facebooks they may still find other ways to distract themselves from their schoolwork. Students could still use text messaging and phone calls as a way to socialize instead of getting work done. Facebook cannot directly be blamed for lower grades but may show as a factor.

            “Facebook keeps me in touch with my friends and family, and I would still find another way to distract myself from schoolwork if I did not have it,” Pylant said.

            Facebook has groups and discussions that some teachers are starting to use for their classes. This can be something positive for a student but can also hurt those who will engage in these discussions but also update statuses and write on their friends’ walls at the same time.

            Students that can use Facebook less or learn when and how to use it properly find they have more time to study and improve their grades. It is not about getting rid of Facebook but finding the right balance between Facebook and schoolwork.

            “Facebook could promote knowledge development and scholarship by helping to connect together people with similar interests for discussion, dialogue, even collaboration. Our School Mental Health Team is developing a Facebook page for these reasons,” Weist said. “I think with all things in life, limit involvement in what is for fun until school/work responsibilities have been taken care of.”

Gamecock Song Influences More School Pride

Country Star and former USC student, Patrick Davis, keeps close ties to the Carolina Gamecocks. Davis graduated from University of South Carolina in 2000. He went on to be a country singer and songwriter for EMI Music Publishing in 2006. Davis learned to play guitar in high school and now performs with his father Rusty Davis, who accompanies him on guitar.

Davis is still an avid supporter of the Gamecocks and does what he can to make as many games as possible. In 2009 while attending the USC/ Ole Miss football game Davis found his inspiration for his song “Big Ole (Game) Cock”.

“It was there, seeing Williams Brice filled with Gamecock faithful who were covered from head to toe in Garnet and Black, that I thought to myself… why isn’t there a story of all these fans and their beloved Gamecocks,” Davis said.

His song “Big Ole (Game) Cock” may give students inspiration to have more school pride and show their support for their team. This song may help students get through the tough times and remember why they are a Gamecock.

“I believe this song is a good way for students to support their Gamecocks,” said junior accounting major Layna Roycraft. “It talks about being proud during heartbreak, good times, and being supportive their whole lives even after college.”

The song is filled with Carolina football history and game day traditions. It expresses how even though the Gamecocks may not do well every year Carolina fans still stay faithful and will always tell their opponents “wait until next year” in hopes of making a comeback.

Davis wrote thing song because he felt the Gamecocks were a unique team and University of South Carolina was a unique school that he takes pride in and hopes other students do as well.

What Davis wants fans to get out of his song “Big Ole (Game) Cock” is “a laugh, a pint of their favorite beverage raised to the heavens and a feeling of bitter sweet happiness for surviving all those Gamecock losing seasons, and Clemson defeats,” Davis said. “They know that thanks to folks like Spurrier, Lattimore, and Garcia better Gamecock football Saturdays lie ahead.”

Carolina students are supportive of their Gamecocks and always show a lot of excitement on game day. With Davis’ song “Big Ole (Game) Cock”, students can come together on game day and play this song to share their love for their Carolina Gamecocks.

“With this song I get a feeling of pride for my school and team and it gets me pumped up for games,” Roycraft said.

Davis is originally from Camden, South Carolina and stayed in state for college. Playing music is the only job he has ever had. His pride for these two things shows through his music. Davis has found his inspiration for being a Gamecock and shares it with all Carolina fans through his song.

“I hope that “Big Ole (Game) Cock” inspires a bit of extra University of South Carolina pride in every Gamecock student, alumni, and fan,” Davis said. “I wrote the song from the perspective of some one who really knows what it means to be a Gamecock supporter, me, so my hope is that any Gamecock supporter who hears the song can say… hey, I have lived all that too.”

Being a Gamecock is not a title you have for only the four years you attend college but something you are and can be proud of for the rest of your life.

As Davis’ song “Big Ole (Game) Cock” states “I love to hear 2001 and feel Williams Brice Rock… oh what else can I say, until my dying day… I’ll be a South Carolina Gamecock.”