Is a College Study Group Right for You?
Studying as a group is far better than studying alone as long as you put your group together carefully. This isn't a time to socialize or get together and procrastinate, it's a time to divvy up the work load and fill in the blanks for one another when it comes to missed lectures, explained theories, or whatever it is that needs to be covered.
Have you ever asked someone to read a chapter and then paraphrase it for you? That's essentially what will happen in your study group, and with each different interpretation of the material, your level of comprehension will improve. Divide the workload into sections and assign one section per person in the group. Here's what else you should keep in mind:
1. Your group's success rate is only as strong as the people you include. Don't have more than six people because productivity suffers with too many members. There should be one moderator to make sure that everything gets done in a timely manner. Make sure that everyone in the group has a strong desire to learn. An unengaged group member could bog the entire group down.
2. Every week should move you through the course work. Each member should be prepared for each meeting, with his or her material studied and ready to break down for the rest of you. There should also be periodical quizzes as well.
The study group is a tried and true method of learning. Not only does it help everyone involved to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, it increases everyone's satisfaction with their overall learning environment.
As you can see, going it alone isn't the best path to scholastic success. Sure, there are times when curling up with your text book is the only way to get things done. But if you incorporate a study group into your plans, chances are you'll be anything but sorry.
Have you ever asked someone to read a chapter and then paraphrase it for you? That's essentially what will happen in your study group, and with each different interpretation of the material, your level of comprehension will improve. Divide the workload into sections and assign one section per person in the group. Here's what else you should keep in mind:
1. Your group's success rate is only as strong as the people you include. Don't have more than six people because productivity suffers with too many members. There should be one moderator to make sure that everything gets done in a timely manner. Make sure that everyone in the group has a strong desire to learn. An unengaged group member could bog the entire group down.
2. Every week should move you through the course work. Each member should be prepared for each meeting, with his or her material studied and ready to break down for the rest of you. There should also be periodical quizzes as well.
The study group is a tried and true method of learning. Not only does it help everyone involved to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, it increases everyone's satisfaction with their overall learning environment.
As you can see, going it alone isn't the best path to scholastic success. Sure, there are times when curling up with your text book is the only way to get things done. But if you incorporate a study group into your plans, chances are you'll be anything but sorry.
About the Author:
The author, Marshall Schumacher, has written nearly two hundred articles on online degree programs, the importance of college accreditation, online colleges and career preparation.
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