How to study in groups
Trying new study methods can only be good for you. If you like it, you have one more instrument to enhance your knowledge and if you don’t like it, you know that in the future you have to avoid any similar methods.
Study groups can be really helpful if you are all determined, responsible and serious about the meetings. A study group will provide support and feedback. Also, it will make you more disciplined because you won’t show up to a meeting unprepared (that would turn into a really awkward meeting and the people in your study group will probably avoid you from that time on). Another perk of studying in groups is finding gaps in your knowledge and filling them with the help of your mates.
How many people should be in a study group?
in my opinion, study groups should be rather small – 3 people I’d say is the magic number; this way, everybody will have plenty of time to be the one talking and there will be just one discussion at all times (when a group is made up of 4 or more people, there will probably be side discussions and that is not productive)
How to choose the right people?
the people you choose to form a study group with should be disciplined, focused, motivated; also, they should be open to meeting regularly (however often you all decide is the best; but don’t compromise too much – if you could benefit more from meeting like every other week, don’t choose people who want to meet only once a month)
How to prepare before a meeting?
in advance, you all have to decide what are you going to discuss at the meeting (for example, at the first meeting you will be discussing the first 3 chapters)
study those 3 chapters: take notes, make a study guide, make mindmaps – just make sure that you come fully prepared to discuss the subject of matter
and most important, in my opinion, write all the questions you have about the material
Where should you meet?
a coffee shop or someone’s place are really good choices
if you can’t meet in person, skype and google docs are good choices
How should a study group session look like?
bring all of your materials
don’t stay on the phone, focus and listen at all times, so you make the most of your time
to stay focused use the pomodoro tehnique (for example, set a timer to study for 50 minutes, then relax/socialize for 10-15 minutes)
make a plan – before starting to study, make a to-do list that you have to complete by the end of the meeting. This will make the meeting more organized
How to study with the group?
ask each other the questions you wrote at home. This way you will get a different perspective on the subject and you will easily understand whatever you struggled with on your own
have a Q&A session that covers the key points
create a study guide together
create a mindmap together
teach each other different topics
make flashcards and turn them into a competition/game
find old exam subjects and solve them individually – then discuss them to see how everyone answered
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