By study groups, I mean study groups where everyone is involved with studying the same topics. I don’t mean studying in silence in the presence of others you know.
Here are the steps to an effective study group!
who?
First, decide the members! Pick people you’ll be comfortable with and are studying the same topics as you. Hopefully they are motivated and have sufficient self-discipline. Most (preferably all) of the study group should have the ability to pull others and themselves back on track. Another thing you should keep in mind is the amount of people. We’re all busy bees, so cancellations are not a big surprise. Keep the amount of people to around 5-6 so if a few people cancel, it’s not a big deal.
where?
My best recommendation would be a library or possibly a food/drink shop that allows people to sit and study. Homes are a bit risky because distractions, distractions, distractions…
Sometimes you don’t even need to leave your house! Try video-calling on any platform that works for you if that is more convenient. (Again, be wary of distractions.)
when?
Choose times when most of the group is available. You might want to organize a study group that meets in recurring time intervals. (ex. every week, bi-weekly, monthly, whatever floats your boat!)
what?
To figure out what to study, create a guide. This way, everyone understands what topics you’re going to study, how long you’ll spend, and other logistics. To find out what topics need to be prioritized, brainstorm and do a ‘blurt’. This will highlight any gaps in your knowledge.
why?
Study groups can spice up your studying routine if you’ve fallen into a rut. Since there’s more people, there’s more explanations in different words on the same topics. This gives everyone a more comprehensive and diverse understanding of the content. At the same time, it can be fun and more engaging.
Here are some of my tips for study groups:
use a phone pile to keep everyone accountable
do not disturb on your laptops/computers
use whitelist extensions to block social media
I use simple blocker (longer intervals ) and forest (pomodoro)
make sure you have any supplies you might need
don’t give yourself any excuses to slack off!
ensure everyone’s past tests and quizzes are graded, all notes are complete, etc.
if not, help them fill out what’s missing
use the feynman technique with each other
synthesize information, clarify, help each other
find out what each person thinks is important to recognize any patterns
get competitive: make a kahoot/jeopardy
make everyone create one to have more variation!
everyone make a practice test or set of review problems
again, an easy way for variety and variation!
peer-edit any assignments if you can/have any
this is the #1 best way to study and others will be quick to point out any gaps in knowledge
discussion, explanations, discussion!
the biggest advantage of a study group is the diversity in how different people approach topics
make sure you take breaks if they’re longer study sessions
again, the pomodoro method is what I would recommend. either 25/5 or 50/10
relax and just be a support network for each other :)
be creative- mix up your own techniques and ideas!
The last thing I want to say is that study groups might not be for you! It’s kind of a 50/50 for me. Sometimes, it’s amazing, other times, it’s just not as effective as it could’ve been. If you absolutely can’t find anyone to study with, that’s fine! If you study way more efficiently on your own, keep on trucking! Just keep an open mind to new techniques that can make studying more efficient and fun :)
