Forming a Study Group: Working together to achieve your individual potential

Why Form a Study Group? You can often learn more by working cooperatively than by working aloneYou can often learn more by working cooperatively than by working alone Your commitment to a study group can motivate you to get your reading/studying tasks completedYour commitment to a study group can motivate you to get your reading/studying tasks completed Study groups enable you to tap into each other’s unique learning strengths and different learning stylesStudy groups enable you to tap into each other’s unique learning strengths and different learning styles Study groups augment individual studyStudy groups augment individual study

Setting up your Group: ideal group size is 3-4 peopleideal group size is 3-4 people your group should be diverseyour group should be diverse be sure your group members are in the same section with the same professorbe sure your group members are in the same section with the same professor develop a list of the names, addresses, and phone numbers of your group members (carry this in your agenda or PDA)develop a list of the names, addresses, and phone numbers of your group members (carry this in your agenda or PDA)

Planning How often do you intend to meet?How often do you intend to meet? Where and when will your meetings take place? Schedule this time/date in your agenda or PDAWhere and when will your meetings take place? Schedule this time/date in your agenda or PDA Establish a purpose for your group:Establish a purpose for your group: –Reviewing material –Comparing/updating notes –Discussing readings –Studying for tests/exams Have a detailed agenda for your meetingHave a detailed agenda for your meeting

Ground Rules Arrive promptly, prepared to work.Arrive promptly, prepared to work. Be sure the group has an agenda to work from.Be sure the group has an agenda to work from. Participate actively in the meeting. Everyone has something to contribute to the discussion.Participate actively in the meeting. Everyone has something to contribute to the discussion. Be respectful. One person speaks at a a time.Be respectful. One person speaks at a a time. Stay on task. Meetings should be minutes long.Stay on task. Meetings should be minutes long. If you opt for long sessions, take scheduled breaks.If you opt for long sessions, take scheduled breaks. Attitudes are positive. Criticism is constructive.Attitudes are positive. Criticism is constructive.

Before each meeting: Be aware of the detailed plan/agenda for the meeting; understand the group’s goalsBe aware of the detailed plan/agenda for the meeting; understand the group’s goals Finalize your notes from the previous lectureFinalize your notes from the previous lecture Complete all required reading, including brief summary notes for eachComplete all required reading, including brief summary notes for each Compose questions from the course material which you think could be asked on an exam, for review and discussion by the groupCompose questions from the course material which you think could be asked on an exam, for review and discussion by the group

Possible Approaches to Group Work Strategy One: use class study guide as springboard for discussionStrategy One: use class study guide as springboard for discussion Strategy Two: focus on class notes, developing and sharing questions, discussing conceptsStrategy Two: focus on class notes, developing and sharing questions, discussing concepts Strategy Three: focus on difficult material/concepts, and “teach” one another based on your individual strengthsStrategy Three: focus on difficult material/concepts, and “teach” one another based on your individual strengths Strategy Four: develop brief practice tests and quizzes for one another, and review sample exams that may be availableStrategy Four: develop brief practice tests and quizzes for one another, and review sample exams that may be available

Group Study Pitfalls (don’t let this happen to you) One or two students may dominate, directing the group in a way that does not meet your learning needsOne or two students may dominate, directing the group in a way that does not meet your learning needs The group may work inefficiently, wasting time with idle conversation and socializationThe group may work inefficiently, wasting time with idle conversation and socialization The group may lack clear focus and direction in the absence of appropriate planning and organizationThe group may lack clear focus and direction in the absence of appropriate planning and organization

Group Study Pitfalls Remember, a study group is NOT:Remember, a study group is NOT: An opportunity to copy work of other membersAn opportunity to copy work of other members A way to rely on others to do the work for youA way to rely on others to do the work for you Effective unless all members participate equallyEffective unless all members participate equally

Additional Value of Study Groups Members enhance occupational skills:Members enhance occupational skills: Ability to work as a team memberAbility to work as a team member ConfidenceConfidence Self-disciplineSelf-discipline Problem solving skillsProblem solving skills Time management, organizational and motivational skillsTime management, organizational and motivational skills Interpersonal skillsInterpersonal skills

Final Thoughts: Be persistent. Don’t abandon the group at the first sign of problems. Work it out.Be persistent. Don’t abandon the group at the first sign of problems. Work it out. Maintain a positive attitude.Maintain a positive attitude. Be supportive of one another, and be constructive in your criticism.Be supportive of one another, and be constructive in your criticism. You’re in this together. Learn from one another, and make it fun.You’re in this together. Learn from one another, and make it fun.