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.”