There are different sorts of studying. To some people, studying means downloading the lecture notes, reviewing their own class notes, getting the slide deck from the professor.. To other people, studing means they actually crack open the assigned texts (which many students didn't bother buying in the first place.)

And then to others it means spending going out and building things using concepts they're learning, not because they want to pass the course but because they're obsessed.

I just started as a teacher, I don't know if that kind of obsession can be cultivated in students through a specific environment or if it's something they bring with them into the class. Or if even trying to bottle that lightning alienates less willing students.

You're in grad-level classes where there are assigned textbooks? Bless!