Study groups

A study group does the following:

1. Reinforces, clarifies, and deepens your learning by providing the opportunity to teach. (research indicates that many students improve their grades by supplementing individual study with group study.)

2. Provides feedback -- before the test -- on how well you are learning the material.

3. Provides practical advice on which courses and professors to take or avoid.

4. Prepares you for the working world, with its emphasis on teamwork. (you might indicate on your resume that you organized several study groups.)

5. Provides a "support group." all students feel discouraged at times, but a study group can "refuel" your motivation and make studying more fun.

6. Helps you overcome shyness about discussing issues in class.

7. Helps you become motivated to study, because you know your study group is depending upon your preparation.

Getting started

1. Get to know your classmates by talking before class, during breaks, and after class. Determine which students are serious about their studies and have a personality that would mesh with your own.

2. Invite 1 to 4 students to meet with you to study. If you are uncomfortable about this, ask the professor to send around a sign-up sheet or to announce that interested students should stay after class.

3. An alternative way to find study partners is to study in a location where you are likely to see students from your class. Then, ask a classmate a question about the subject matter and begin chatting.

4. To avoid a situation of "the blind leading the blind," make sure that at least some members of the group are knowledgeable about the field.

5. Each person should study individually before the group meets.

Study agenda

1. Some groups begin their session by comparing lecture notes.

2. Most groups use their lecture notes, a lecture handout, or a study guide written by the professor as an outline to guide the order of topics to discuss. If you are a student in the health sciences, an organ system review is often effective.

3. If you prefer a formal group: at the end of each session write an agenda for the next session, with each group member assigned to prepare/present specific material. Volunteer to be the presenter in the area you find most difficult. Research this area thoroughly and become an expert. Develop five questions to ask the others.

4. If you prefer informality: decide at the beginning of the session what topics you will study and how you will study. You might assign topics/single lectures to each other and then work independently for a time to come up with 5 to 10 questions on each topic or lecture.

5. Create and xerox summary sheets and charts to share.

6. Have each member write a practice test and give these tests to each other.

7. List your group's remaining areas of confusion and go to the professor or t.a. for clarification.

Where to meet with your study group

1. Only study in a public area like a cafeteria if the group members are able to keep focused.

2. Do find a place with comfortable chairs. Also, you may want a room with a blackboard.

3. Try one of the following locations: an empty classroom, a group study room in the library, a lounge area, a "help center" within a particular department, a dorm room, a cafeteria. Locations which have group study rooms: main library -- call 996-5570 one day in advance to reserve. Health sciences library -- no reservations. There are 4 study rooms in the basement and 5 on the second floor. Academic center for excellence (in s.s.b.) -- call 413-0032 to reserve a place.

Pitfalls and problems

1. If your group begins to deteriorate into merely a social group, use a strict agenda and a strong convener. Or, simply ask, "will that be on the test?" when group members get off track. Many groups report that most of their time wasting occurs during late night sessions. Decide ahead of time when you will stop studying for the evening. Also, to stay focused, schedule regular breaks.

2. Don't allow group members to attend unprepared. To keep members who are failing to do their fair share is to enable and encourage irresponsibility. Remember, you are not providing free tutoring.

3. Don't allow lengthy complaints about courses or professors during group time; do this afterwards if you must.

4. Encourage members to reveal their weaknesses so that they can strengthen them. This will only happen if members refrain from critical comments about one another.

Remember, effective study groups require that members develop skills in group dynamics. If at first you don't succeed, discuss the problems with your group and try again. If all else fails, you might try again with another group of students.