Issues with study group

[Eirene, ASN, RN]

good morning, everyone!

i am having an issue regarding my study group.

i rent a room every sunday at the public library to host a study group. the core group who has always been there consists of 6 people, which worked out beautifully. we invited other student to join us- in the past few weeks it has blown up from 6 to averaging 15-18 students. i was happy about this, in my thinking, the more people, the better! we could get all kinds of views on different topics.

as it turns out, it's now a nightmare. something that was very productive is now a free-for-all complaining session. people are bringing their children, text messaging, etc. it's giving me an ulcer.

our original group is not happy in the least. since i'm the one who rents the library out and hosts the sessions, it's my responsibility to control it. i'm wracking my brain on how to resolve this issue without being mean. as a peer, i don't feel it's my place to say "hey, straighten up or you're no longer invited", since we're all adults.

i'm thinking about cancelling it all together and just having our core group come. finals are coming up and we need to be serious and get this information down.

thanks so much for any input/advice.

[shippoRN]

I would say cancel the session entirely and meet up with your core group at another set time or place, or what ever works for you. I don't think you should have to give any explaination as to why you cancelled the session. They (the disrupters) are not paying you for your time, as in human nature they will get upset, but that is to be expected and you cannot please everyone IMO.

You didn't mention if you have to pay to rent the room at the library, but im thinking you do, and having people show up and not be productive and be disruptive is wasting your time and money (if money is involved.) I think at this point you have to try to over look being mean or hurting someone's feelings, your education is much more important

[justme1972]

I think anytime you have a large group, it is going to be impossible to make everyone happy. It sounds like you already have the right solution. Everyone should understand, as they are all adults.

There is no way, I personally, could be focused with that many people in the room when I am studying.

[zilla704]

We have the underground super secret study group of 5. It is a mortal sin to discuss it in class or around others...

There is no way I could accomplish anything with a group that big. I would get your original small group and go elsewhere.

And while it sounds harsh, don't study with ANYONE with a lower average than you. I find that I'm explaining things that I know well and wasting my time when I could be really working on the topics that are important to me or the small group. Out of the five of us, the lowest average is a 96. I feel sorry for those that are struggling but have found that generally those that are, haven't put in nearly enough study time to succeed or don't take it as seriously as I do. I'm not in nursing school to make friends. I'm there to get an good education and learn all that I can.

Get your original group together so you don't suffer!

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

We have the underground super secret study group of 5. It is a mortal sin to discuss it in class or around others...

There is no way I could accomplish anything with a group that big. I would get your original small group and go elsewhere.

And while it sounds harsh, don't study with ANYONE with a lower average than you. I find that I'm explaining things that I know well and wasting my time when I could be really working on the topics that are important to me or the small group. Out of the five of us, the lowest average is a 96. I feel sorry for those that are struggling but have found that generally those that are, haven't put in nearly enough study time to succeed or don't take it as seriously as I do. I'm not in nursing school to make friends. I'm there to get an good education and learn all that I can.

I agree you DON'T need the newbies....not doing your group any good it sounds like.

To be honest, I haven't studied in a group until this last test due to the nature of the material. I just usually do better by myself...but the subject was such that it really lended itself to a group situation, so I got together with a few others....I think it was helpful....BUT...there was someone who was struggling with some of the material and yes, we spent some time trying to help her understand it, and then ARGUING (friendly) with her about why something wasn't right that she would mention....she flunked the test; the rest of us did okay...

It's sad to say that there is some merit in finding "like minds" to study with unless you're really the type that enjoys teaching and have a receptive audience (and you know the subject yourself, lol)....I don't know that they need to be "A" students, as other "good" students would probably have something to offer, but I agree a smaller group is much more productive than a larger one....

Cancel the session and maybe find a new meeting location....it sounds tough, but don't put your grades and good study habits on the back burner in an effort to salvage others' feelings -- others who apparently haven't worried about YOURS!!

[onduty23]

15 is not a group its a party.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

I study with 1 other person, as usually if more than the one person shows up they become a distraction. Either they do not focus, or they wind up trying to go way too much into depth about a subject even the professor mentions we do not have to know, until NCLEX. We tried having it last semester, but it just did not work beyond the original two. Plus, she sometimes needs some help to get a concept, and I enjoy coming up with easier ways to remember concepts.

just stick with the original ones who get the idea. A study group is not a playdate. It's there for serious students.