Time and time again, group study has become a dilemma for college students, leaving some of them unsettled with the idea of going at it alone. One of the problems is that some students are convinced that strength in numbers will help them academically; however, this does not mean that the potential of studying in groups should be altogether dismissed.
Effective study groups can help students learn course
material in a deeper, more concrete way. Groups that are effective generate
positive energy, encourage active participation, instill discipline, and
require commitments from members. These skills are certainly important for
learning.
Here are the top 10 reasons students should form or join study groups in college:
1. Gain Better Understanding of Subject Better
There is no argument that taking time to read, learn, and
study a subject or theory will lead to a greater understanding of that
particular subject. Actively engaging with the material, learning together, and
genuinely knowing a subject, students can feel empowered and motivated to do
well in the classroom as a group.
Learning is a different experience for each person. Students
can hear different perspectives on the subject and therefore understand it from
more than one position. This is useful in real-world settings where more than one
solution or opinion bolsters creative and analytical thinking.
2. Get Better Grades
Some students are bound to put off studying, homework,
papers, and projects. A study group can help solidify and clarify course
materials, leading to more promising classroom experiences, and potentially a
better GPA. By understanding the subject and feeling motivated, students may
feel more willing to do better in class, on tests, and on assignments.
Also, for certain concepts, some students might be better at
explaining the material to their fellow cohort. In a way, a study group is also
a built-in tutoring session. For those who know the material, it is a great way
to review and refine their understanding of it, and for those who may be
struggling, they can gain a fresh perspective to suit their learning style
better.
3. Gain Well-Rounded Insight
By having each group member read, study, and summarize the
most important points in a chapter, other students in the group gain the
capability of understanding chapters at a deeper level. Different students
might uncover themes or theories that others may not initially detect, so
studying with others can be an eye-opening experience. Students can analyze
their findings, which can serve as a standard to help determine the most
important points of a chapter.
This is also a way to get the full value of the class
textbook. Unfortunately, students may be overwhelmed with the number of
readings or assignments due in a semester and resort to surface learning, which
is bound to fade as soon as the material feels as if it is no longer relevant.
When various students share the burden of distilling dense material, they can
appreciate the broader context of their studies more than tackling them alone.
4. Maintain Personal Responsibilities
Study groups should allow each student to share ideas and
thoughts about a particular subject. Depending on the group’s dynamic, students
may even give small presentations that can be highly beneficial to the learning
process; students who are going to present before their study groups are less
likely to forget to do their reading because they do not want to be embarrassed
in front of their peers.
Some college students can find themselves to be naturally
rebellious toward authority figures. This rebellious attitude can lead them to
feel frustrated with academic assignments; however, the added responsibility of
studying with a group of peers, and without the influence of an elder figure,
can enable these students to feel more apt to participate, thus promoting
responsibility, education, and team building.
Besides personal responsibility, study groups can also aid
in self-discovery. Perhaps students will realize that they work best in the
morning or at night; perhaps they will discover that they are exceptionally
good at researching but not summarizing. These insights can help them discover
what kind of career will suit them best.
5. Gain Team Experience
When the time comes to look for a job, workplaces might ask
about one’s experience working in teams. By forming and participating in a
regular study group, prospective employees will have ample experience from
which to draw answers, stories, and more during an interview and in the
workplace.
Learning how to get along well with others in a team-oriented
environment can show potential employers that an interviewee is a focused,
patient, and well-rounded team player. While this requires patience from
students who work better alone, they need to accept that the future of work is
highly collaborative. It is better to get the valuable experience of
discovering your strengths and weaknesses as early as possible.
6. Combat Procrastination and Achieving More
Not surprisingly, the desire to procrastinate can be much
stronger when we are alone. Rather than falling to the personal pressure of
procrastination, students can surround themselves with motivated, serious
students who can help get the ball rolling on assignments, and who can become
building blocks to success.
Naturally, some students are more organized and have better
time management skills than others. Being a part of a study group will hone
these skills for some and help others get a sense for how this can be done in
other aspects of their lives. Again, learning from peers can sometimes be
easier than heeding the advice of authority figures.
7. Sharpen Problem-Solving Skills
The idea of placing three to five college students in one
room to study might not sound promising on the surface because we think about
the great potential of disagreements, arguments, and distractions that can
occur.
By learning how to adapt to the work and study styles of
others, students can sharpen their problem-solving skills. When there are
multiple conflicting ideas, theories, and practices in a group, students must
decipher which idea is the best; this takes patience, sacrifice, and the skills
needed to resolve the issue. Eventually, these skills are developed naturally.
In a positive way, this kind of healthy debate is also good
for students. Being challenged to defend your ideas, perspectives, and find
solutions that suit others, not just yourself, will be needed in every other
area in life as well.
8. Why We Should Study in Groups
Forming a group with peers that live nearby means that
students don’t have to commute all the way to school to study; this is
especially helpful for those with longer commutes, and it can also be useful
for online students. Instead of hiding behind the anonymity of the virtual
classroom, you can get out and meet others from your class in a safe, public
environment.
In this modern age, students must adapt to new technologies,
which means that those who have difficulties meeting up can also utilize the
internet for their study groups. When a group member is out of town, when the
weather is bad, or when other members are having difficulty meeting in a
particular location, they can connect via Skype, Google Hangouts, WhatsApp or
other video conferencing websites.
With little excuse to not join a study group if you’re able
to carpool or join virtually, other creative possibilities open up. Use new
technologies to stay organized, committed, connected, and efficient. Invite
your professor to a study session and impress them with your dedication. Study
groups are a way to show others that you’re invested in yourself which will
gain their respect.
9. Meet in the Setting You Choose
Forming a study group enables students to decide where to
study. Burned out by meeting day after day in the back of the silent,
whitewashed local library? Head over to your nearest cafe, stock up on
caffeine, and enjoy a humanized study experience, surrounded by like-minded
professionals, students, and everyday people.
Don’t forget that your colleges and universities often have
vastly underutilized resources. Start by asking your student council union,
librarian, and academic advisor how your study group can take advantage of
physical resources such as unused classrooms or conference halls.
10. Motivate and Inspiring One Another
Having trouble getting through a difficult class? Well, a
bit of moral support can go a long way. Within a group, students can not only
motivate one another to do well, but they will also have the chance to form
strong, long-lasting friendships.
Accountability is an important factor for success no matter
the task. Applying this to your studies for excellent results could find you
receiving academic honors, scholarships, or internships upon graduation. Having
others challenge you to be the best version of yourself is a wonderful
opportunity that even something as simple as a study group can provide.
Are You Ready to Form an Effective Study Group?
Here are a few tips that students should consider when making the commitment to form an effective study group:
- Your
group should not exceed 5 members.
- Weekly
meetings are essential.
- There
should be a group leader who determines meeting locations, study session
times and keeps the group informed about next week’s subject.
- The
group should determine what they will cover from the start; the leader
will only ensure that the group stays on track.
- Be
sure to review together, go over difficult homework questions, and
address any other problems group members face during class.
- Don’t
forget to do a quick wrap-up, summarizing the important details.
- Remember:
this is not class, so feel free to have fun with your group!
- Bond
by spending time together outside of class and aside from the group.
- Use
online technologies accessible to everyone.
Final Word.
Incoming freshmen and seasoned students alike can benefit from the aforementioned tips. Success is up to each individual and can be achieved in a number of ways; we highly suggest that students form study groups in order to stand out from the rest of their peers and to do well each semester, especially when faced with a difficult class.