There’s a big test coming up, and you’re trying to decide what the best course of action will be to get your studying done effectively before the test date rears its ugly head. Many people revert to the solo method; locking themselves in a room with energy drinks and reading their notes and study materials over and over again until they ultimately go a bit crazy from the monotony of it.
A study group is a great alternative for those students who need a bit more motivation when it comes to studying.
First things first, you want to decide who you want in your study group. If you are lucky enough to have a good friend in this particular class, you have to be honest with yourself if you think studying with them will help or hinder your performance. If it’s the latter, but you still want them in your group, bring in different people that will compliment your studying style. Everyone studies in their own way, but once you become part of a group, you open yourself up to new ways of learning.
After you decide who will be a part of your study group, coordinate your schedules and decide how often and for how long you would like to meet. Too many days throughout the week can be a bit daunting for some, and too little really gets you nowhere, so a good goal for any group is to meet three to four days a week. This allows the people in the group to go over materials on their own, and bring any questions that arise to the group at the next meeting.
Also, don’t be afraid to restrict communication to the meetings; e-mails between group members with questions should be sent throughout the entire group so that everyone can start a dialogue on the subject being discussed. It can keep everyone’s brain going between study sessions.
Another big advantage to being a part of a study group is the amount of different notes that everyone has taken throughout the class. People take notes differently; they hear different things, different points stand out, and everyone in the group can compile these different notes for a well-rounded study sheet.
Your first meeting should include going over the key points in the subject that have been brought up in class. You all may have differing opinions on what you should be focusing on, so hitting these points early on and going through this list will help you concentrate your group a bit more as the test date comes closer.
A study group is also a great motivational tool for the student who may falter on their studying habits. Being a part of a group that depends on you for the ongoing flow of discussion and learning is a driving force to get you to those meetings. You wouldn’t want to let anyone down, including yourself.
Tags: study groups, Study Tips