Studying open source software can help software engineering students learn better by providing them with real-life examples and practical instances of abstract concepts like software design patterns. This approach can bridge the gap between what students learn in class and the complexity of actual software products. Educators can choose from a wide range of freely available software sources to tailor their teaching to meet specific goals and constraints. By incorporating open source software into their courses, students can gain valuable insights and skills that will benefit them in their future careers.