Harry's study habits

[hekatesheadband]

No: HPFGUIDX 139867

CathyD: <<> Obviously not a complete study on the subject, but IMO,
Harry is not diligent in his studies.  I'm sure he has great
potential, I'm sure he's not defective mentally, but he certainly puts
very little thought or effort into his studies on a routine basis.>>

It looks like we're just going to have to disagree here. In my view,
there are enough references to his studying to support the reading
that he's a reasonably good student. He got plenty of OWLs, and he
does perfectly good spellwork most of the time, and superb spellwork
some of the time. Hermione can't wave his wand for him or recite his
incantations herself, and no one whispered his OWL answers in his ear.
I don't think it's just inherent power, either - even with his
abilities and a lot of luck, an inherently powerful wizard with
no idea of what he was doing would likely accomplish nothing but
routine havoc punctuated by a few lucky breaks.

CathyD: <I found 23 instances of Harry goofing off in class, not
paying attention in class, copying homework, making up stuff for
Divination or Hermione doing his homework... I think I found five or
six instances of Harry doing his own homework or reasearch in the
library himself.>

Impressive research! I'm a grad student and don't have time to comb
through canon like that - though I flatter myself an excellent source
of general pedantry;). That said, between brief references to studying
(again, usually interrupted and passing - JKR is not inclined to write
Harry's theory essays) and more involved, noticable library research
scenes, I'd bet all my assets (CA$2.37) there are more than half a
dozen. 

As for studying by himself, Harry is a more collaborative worker than
Hermione - she studies alone, while Harry and Ron prefer to study
together. Nothing wrong with group work if it's what works best for
you. (I say that as an unwaveringly solo student, too.) And in terms
of making things up for Divination or copying horoscopes - well, it
certainly seems to suit the instructor - who Hermione, McGongall and
Dumbledore all agree has nothing to teach. Harry has more important
things to do with his time - from contemplating Voldemort's threat to
gazing at his navel, actually. ;)

As for not knowing other students' names - I can identify; I'm
atrocious with names, and nowhere near as withdrawn as Harry. But I'm
not sure this isn't just sloppy writing more than characterisation -
JKR doesn't know most of their names either.;)

-hekatesheadband
(Agreeing to disagree, because the Sorting Hat is really Bono.)