Dealing with Downers?

[locolorenzo22]

Hey, all. How do you guys deal with classmates/study group members who are really downers, but blame their grades on everything but what THEY are doing? I have 1 or 2 in my study group, they both are getting grades on tests around 60-75%, but seem to blame wording of questions/topics not covered on outlines/etc rather than blame themselves for not studying(which they admit to). One's not too bad, and a bit of a youngun, at 21, and knows she can do better and will (she's really close to the pass mark--which is 80%). The other is so far below passing I wonder if he's going to drop by tomorrow. He's gotten grades around 60% average. Says he's working full-time, kid on the way, 4 hours sleep, etc. etc. And I'm thinking, you still have to study, else you Can't pass! I'm just staying positive and ready to go....got a 92% on my nursing process test today!! WHOOT!

(that's how I felt when I saw my grade!!)

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

Thanks all for the tips/comments. It's really nice to know I'm not the only one dealing with this issue. We had clinical today and one of my classmates is consistantly "blah, blah, blah" about things she already knows from having a mom in the hospital with Chrones disease, etc....Well, we all just want to tell her "look we have to learn it too...."

However, I'm more willing to cut her some slack because she's 18! When I was 18, I definitely didn't have those social skills for groups, especially in what we deal with. I think we're all giving it a week or two, then someone's going to snap.....

[firstyearstudent]

Don't do groups unless you find it helpful (I do sometimes, other times not, depending on how far along I am in my own studying -- near the end it seems to really help). Mostly I go to groups thinking I will be helping other students, not getting help -- but 90% of the time something is mentioned orcovered that I missed during private studying and I end up picking up a few extra questions on the exam that I wouldn't otherwise.

Negative attitudes don't really bother me. I see it as folks just blowing off steam and I try to gently or jokingly steer them back on track when time is of the essense. "Want some bread and cheese with your whine? Maybe that was a bad test, but you already failed it so let's focus on passing this one!" Suprisingly, most people are grateful for you reigning them in and refocusing them if it's done in a spirit of concern.

[bmoregirl]

I totally agree because I am the only one in my "study group" that's passing and I don't think it's benefiting me to be in a group where everybody's looking to you for answers or understanding. It's draining on me as a student because what about the stuff i don't understand isn't that what a study group is for to help u where u are weak instead of u always being the helper. AM I THE ONLY PERSON IN THIS POSITION?

[abbythetabby]

I totally agree because I am the only one in my "study group" that's passing and I don't think it's benefiting me to be in a group where everybody's looking to you for answers or understanding. It's draining on me as a student because what about the stuff i don't understand isn't that what a study group is for to help u where u are weak instead of u always being the helper. AM I THE ONLY PERSON IN THIS POSITION?

I'm right there with you. And it's no one's fault but mine. For the second half of this semster, I've been more proactive about finding other students who are willing to enter into a more equal study partnership. I've already found that it makes me strive to learn more.

[firstyearstudent]

I find that explaining things to students without a good understanding helps me to clearly ascertain what I know for sure and the areas where I am lacking. But I only do those kind of study groups (groups where I am the strong member) if I have the time. I make private study a priority before group study.