Study Groups: Help or Nuisance?

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2012

Check it out and do what works best for you. I like studying with people because I'm both a visual and audio learner. I like to look at information and talk about it as a way to remember it. If you study best alone and in quiet, do that. If you find after the first test or two that it's not working, definitely look to a group that can work together. It doesn't have to be a big deal, it could be as easy as meeting for 2 hours right after class to go over what was just talked about and put it into easier terms. Or maybe for a couple of hours before class to review the previous material. You really don't have to put a lot of extra work in, it could be going over a review sheet or doing flash cards with each other to talk about the answers and the rationales behind them. Try different methods and see what works! Good luck!

RescueNinja2013 · Jul 28, 2012

It all depends on who you are studying with. Like you, I prefer to study alone. Sometimes groups help for me, but it's very seldom. In the past, study groups made it hard for me to concentrate, especially if you are all getting to know each other, and using that precious study time to mingle. Not good. I had this happen plenty and I come off as the BIG "B" for saying, "Can we please focus here?" And for me, I like to surround myself with all my materials: books, papers, pens, etc., and just be secluded in a library room, so that I can "hear my own thoughts" and really embed info in my brain --and it has to be SILENT. But in saying all this, I think I'm going to try doing what I normally do to study -which is what I just mentioned, BUT, once I feel that I got a good grasp on the material, I'll bring my "knowledge" to a study group for further reinforcement. I begin 2nd year next month, so I'll see if that works. If not, I'll be all by my lonesome LOL. But you just gotta see what works for you, even if it means trial and error. BEST OF EVERYTHING TO YOU!

jnazz76 · Jul 28, 2012

Hey fellow LPN nursing students!
I've been accepted to an LPN program and start classes August 20th. In orientation I heard a lot about how important it will be to have a study group. While I'm not a loner socially, I have always preferred to study alone, in the same place and with all my own materials around me, usually listening to one of my many customized study stations on Pandora.
I think of study groups and imagine the time eaten up driving to meet each other, sorting out who will be in charge of what, contacting and setting up dates to meet, etc as time wasted that I could be studying.
I do not underestimate, however, the difficulty of the next 9 months ahead of me and can appreciate the idea that having a group of students with different strengths and study habits can be of benefit. So I'm on the fence about whether to engage in a study group at this point.
What has your experience been with study groups? Did you feel it was a lifesaver or did you feel it wasted your precious study time? ANy tips on ways to maximize the experience and minimize distractions like chatting during a study group?

What I have found most helpful is to study/read the material, take notes and maybe do a few review questions on my own. I then plan to meet up with a few classmates and go over the outline that the instuctors provide together..usually before a test. Its kind of the best of both worlds! Hope this helps and good luck!!!

RescueNinja2013 · Jul 28, 2012

You'll also find a LOT of very helpful nursing school tips from a WONDERFUL RN in Florida, Nurse Nacole, who has a vlog on YouTube. I will actually be trying her tip here in this video that I posted below. She is continuing her studies to become an advanced nurse, and I believe critical care is her specialty. She's a total sweetheart. I created the tables as she did in the video and can send it to you, if you'd like. Just inbox me your email address if interested. :) I wish I knew how to post a Word Doc on here :lol2: ; I've seen it done before :nurse:

PNicholas · Jul 28, 2012

I also usually consider myself a loner when it comes to studying. After making a C my first semester, I decided to give a study group a try. I think that for a study group to be effective you have to have people who are serious about studying, a set time for studying, and a small group. I found out that while I consider myself a good note taker, I was missing some key points. Also, some one would ask a question and I might have understood the information one way and they understood it another. We could then ask our instructor and clear it up. I'm a huge fan of study groups...especially after I made an A my second semester. Also, the best advice we got...our instructor warned us that when you find a study group that works be careful about adding other people. It can change the dynamic and it won't work anymore! Good Luck!

Nathifalr26, LPN · Jul 28, 2012

At my LPN orientation the instructors told us the same. They said the last class didn't take heed to their advice and started with 27 and are only possibly graduating 8-yikes! As PNicholas mentioned, the instructors said about the same. In the past in college I did a study group for Statistics and it helped a little bit. We only met a few times though. It just depends really on the dynamic of the group, the seriousness of the group, and why you all are there-to study. I know I'm similar to you-I prefer studying on my own, especially in a quiet place and have plenty of notes. Flash cards were my best friend and having an outline to study. However, the group may help on your weaknesses and you can help their weaknesses in the group. Were you may not remember or understand one thing, they may understand it completely differently and give you a new perspective that can help in a future class or test. Hope this helps and good luck in the program!

jhopper · Jul 28, 2012

Study groups can work, with the right people. The dynamic has to be right. I've seen them go a few different directions.

1) The social clique where nothing is discussed but babies daddies and dirt bag ex-husbands. This can also be dudes talking about alcohol and girls.

2) Then you have the unbalanced group, composed of classmates who study and those who don't. Those who do not study get hopelessly lost because they fail to grasp the key concepts. These folks are counting on the motivated student to help them comprehend the material, or regurgitate yesterday's lecture one more time.

3) The last group is balanced. Composed of motivated students who keep their focus. Key concepts are understood and the little details are discussed and explained amongst one another. One student seems to shine through and informally becomes the group leader.

My advice if you want a study group: find the students who are most like you. If you're a hard worker find a similar group of students and be the lightening rod needed to get them together. Helping weaker students is fine, but do not get bogged down in a group of weakerthans.

proud nurse, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2012

I tried study groups, they didn't work for me at all. I'd get confused when someone heard something different than what I heard or had in my notes. And I didn't care for the gossip and having to reel them back on task. I just studied by myself or went to an instructor led discussion group.

Puddin2day · Jul 28, 2012

Thank you RescueNinja2013,

I just subscribed to Nurse Nacole's YT channel.

Kendel.G · Jul 28, 2012

I don't like studying in groups. I usually get together with a girlfriend who isn't taking the classes I am and we study together. Taking turns going over material from her class and mine. We usually do flashcards and go over study questions. I like doing it this way because I haven't found people in my class who care as much as I do (not saying this to be mean...just a fact). Most of the students at my school doing give a flying hoot about class and barely stay awake if they bother to show up at all. So study groups don't work for me. But I think if you find someone who is driven and actually cares about class to study with I think its great to study in a group.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jul 28, 2012

I've never been found of study groups. Usually the people who want you to join theres want to pick your brain or have the group supplement their own study skills which is fine. Personally I find I end up doing more tutoring than studying persay which can have its merits also. See one, do one, teach one and all. My advice try it and see if you like it but don't adopt it in leui of your normal study habits.