As you can tell infer from the title--I have found study groups to be a colossal waste of time. Everything you need to know is in the book and anything confusing can be googled much quicker than any alternative.
Now that I've started nursing school everyone and their dog has heavily emphasized the importance of forming study groups to survive. Can someone explain to me how utilizing a study group can be beneficial to me?
How do you prepare for a study group?
How does it provide any greater understanding of the material?
This is my first semester as a nursing student. My nursing program emphasize the benefits of a study group, I find that I study best by myself but have not tried to form or become part of a study group. I think I will give my nursing classmates more time to get to know each other; at the beginning everyone wants to socialize about the nursing program itself rather then the class material. regardless i dont think i will have time for a study group because i dont have enough time in my day. I have 3 kids and work 30 hrs a week, i barely have time to eat! The most important thing here is to actually STUDY by yourself or with a study group. if anyone has any tips for me as far as success in the nursing program please dont hesitate to post
Study groups really only work if everyone in the group comes ready and prepared. I find that most people use study groups as their only means of studying, and as a result there isn't enough knowledge in the room to balance out the questions. They also can turn into glorified therapy sessions. I remember one particular study group near the end of a semester in which we talked for 2 hours (TWO HOURS) about the way the instructor wrote the exams and how the rationales were horrible. I was so mad that I told them I couldn't make the next two study groups, and then school was let out for break, and I didn't get in contact with them again in regards to studying.
I prefer to work on my own schedule, and have little room to move things around for other people. It's unfortunate but it's the way my schooling has been. I would be more likely to utilize a study group if my experiences in the past had been positive, but the majority of them have been negative. It's actually quite sad, because I'm very much an auditory learner. However, taping lectures and making flashcards while playing them back has been much more helpful than a study group.
If you liked the idea of a study group because you're an auditory learner, but found them to be distracting or unproductive, I definitely recommend taping lecture and listening back to it on your own.
It seems to me that the instructors aren't stating this as Gospel, but more letting everyone know the trend they've seen over the years. There will always be exceptions on both sides.
If you're doing well, why on earth would instructors explaining how they've noticed others doing well "grate on your nerves?" No one is judging you, they're just explaining what they've seen in the past.
My instructors said the same thing, and of course they aren't stating it as "gospel" but they are basically pushing this idea that in order to excel in nursing school, you MUST have a study group. In fact, my med-surg instructor went out of her way to help form study groups, and by the end of the semester, only a couple of groups were still intact - the ones that were formed in previous semesters prior to her assistance. Study groups don't guarantee you an A. And I do find it annoying when instructors assume that if you had been in a study group, you would have done better on the exam.
I know people who make straight A's, people who have failed a semester, people who have failed out, and people who have barely leeched on semester after semester. Within each category, they all utilize/d different learning styles. The right thing to do is find out what works for you, regardless of the trend. Reading the book cover to cover will NOT work for me, but I know a girl who does just that and she has the type of photographic memory where she remembers all of it. Making flash cards works for me, but if you spend more time making flash cards than using them, what's the point?
They should make every incoming student take a learning styles inventory, imo, and then work out exactly how they could get the most out of studying. The idea that one thing works for everyone is just stupid.
In theory, with the right people, can be a help. But in my experience group work was always a waste of time and effort. You have to be with a group of serious people to get anything accomplished.
My instructors said the same thing, and of course they aren't stating it as "gospel" but they are basically pushing this idea that in order to excel in nursing school, you MUST have a study group. In fact, my med-surg instructor went out of her way to help form study groups, and by the end of the semester, only a couple of groups were still intact - the ones that were formed in previous semesters prior to her assistance. Study groups don't guarantee you an A. And I do find it annoying when instructors assume that if you had been in a study group, you would have done better on the exam.
I know people who make straight A's, people who have failed a semester, people who have failed out, and people who have barely leeched on semester after semester. Within each category, they all utilize/d different learning styles. The right thing to do is find out what works for you, regardless of the trend. Reading the book cover to cover will NOT work for me, but I know a girl who does just that and she has the type of photographic memory where she remembers all of it. Making flash cards works for me, but if you spend more time making flash cards than using them, what's the point?
They should make every incoming student take a learning styles inventory, imo, and then work out exactly how they could get the most out of studying. The idea that one thing works for everyone is just stupid.
To each their own....you can be annoyed if you choose to be.
Strongly encouraging isn't mandating....and nothing guarantee's an A.
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Study groups have benefited me depending on who it was with. I am a very "grey area" thinker to where my 2 closest friends are very black and white thinkers. When we have gotten together we get different perspectives on material and questions that we didn't think of on our own. Come test time there is always a mixture of both types of questions and we are grateful the other brought up the varying points in our group.
I have found that study groups, in order to be effective, need to be very disciplined. You almost have to go in with the understanding, on everyones part, that the group will do thus and so, having a definite structure; I.e. Question and answer/ clarification, quizzing, nclex style questions with rationale, etc. Nothing is a greater waste of time than two hours of ******** and gossip
Additionally, group study proper may just not be for everyone. I don't find it particularly useful myself. We all have different learning styles and some of us are more independent than others. But even the more independent learner can benefit from a group review before an exam for the reason someone gave earlier, it can be a great opportunity to solidify what you already know as well as to get a better grasp on what you still may need to digest better.
For me anyway, this is what works best, independent study and then a review with a small group of trusted, serious students.
We don't even get together physically anymore, we just get together on Skype.
I agree with most of the posters. I just finished nursing school and I rarely, if ever utilized a study group. I get too distracted and found that I studied better on my own. I will say this... when you are studying for the boards, it is really nice to get together with a classmate or two to study. I only did it twice with one other highly motivated friend, but I think it was a great way to blow off some steam, and realize that you are not alone in getting 60-70% on the review questions! Make sure it is productive and not a waste of your time.
A number of really good points here. My experience with study groups was positive. We had a VERY carefully chosen group of 5 students and we studied well together. We learned pretty early on not to mess with our mix. If another person wanted to study with us it just didn't go as well. I would study the material very well and make up note cards(a nursing students best friend I think). We would all meet up on study day and go over the material. As many have pointed out, others may pick up points you missed. Also, the more you use your 5 senses the better you retain material. Read it, write it on note cards, speak it out loud with one another....
Remember, this isn't about studying with your friend. This is about doing well in nursing school. If you decide to go with a study group choose people who have like-minded study habits, keep it small and as awful as this may sound be somewhat elitist. No outsiders and noone who can't keep up as they will slow you down. Good luck!! :redpinkhe
I think that really depends on you, and how you learn best. Some people do well with study groups. I do not. I graduated with honours, and studied solo throughout my entire degree. I find study groups are a waste of time for me. However, I knew people who relied on study groups and did very well too. Do whatever works best for you to complete your program. Good luck :) There will be an end in sight.
Different people have different learning styles, just as some people study better at night than during the day. Study the way that suites you best and stick with it. You are obviously computer savy and can google things, I might suggest getting a Mosby or NCLEX review book. A lot of times, rather than read 200 pages on the same thing that is stated seventeen different ways I would just go to the review book, look up whatever the subject was (ie: depression in the psych section) and the signs, symptoms, treatments and careplans were all there in a two to three page format and gave you the same information the textbook did only in a barebones outline "just the facts", no frills and confusing extra stuff. There are also practise exams in the book on the subject you are studying and I found that instructors would lift questions almost word for word from them and just change it a little. A Mosby or NCLEX Review Book and good care plan books will get you through just about anything combined with the notes taken in class.
I think other people responded saying that it all depends on how you study. There is a lot of truth to this. But before I started nursing school I was a teacher and can tell you that there are many advantages to studying in a group. Firstly think about input versus output. Studying independently and taking notes in lecture offers a great deal of input. You are processing the information internally which is very important to studying. Unfortunately, the only time we get to really asses how much information was retained is while taking tests. This is called output. When learning new material you want to ask yourself two questions; Do I understand the material that I'm reading, and can I explain the material that I'm reading. The second part is very important in nursing because at work we are expected to explain many things to our patients. This is where a study group can be really beneficial. It gives you a chance to explain the material out loud. By doing this it also brings to the surface several concepts that you may have missed studying independently. Additionally, it gives you a chance to compare class notes. I have yet to have participated in a study group where our note where identical.
I think you also asked how to best prepare for a study group. Firstly keep the numbers small. I wouldn't want more than four people in the group. If you get too many people you will most likely get distracted and start talking about other things. Secondly they work best after you have already studied on your own. Remember study groups are about the OUTPUT. If you come unprepared you will miss out on the chance to explain the material out loud, which is the whole point. It helps if your groups decides which chapters to cover before meeting.
Now if you really feel like you have a grip on the material it might be beneficial for you to pair up with people that are struggling. This can actually be very beneficial for you, to tutor other people. Tutor programs are aimed a helping people that are behind but they are equally beneficial for the tutor. You will be answering questions, which will clarify information for you. Its also a huge part of nursing. I hope this helps!
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A number of really good points here. My experience with study groups was positive. We had a VERY carefully chosen group of 5 students and we studied well together. We learned pretty early on not to mess with our mix. If another person wanted to study with us it just didn't go as well. I would study the material very well and make up note cards(a nursing students best friend I think). We would all meet up on study day and go over the material. As many have pointed out, others may pick up points you missed. Also, the more you use your 5 senses the better you retain material. Read it, write it on note cards, speak it out loud with one another....
latinadream
23 Posts
This is my first semester as a nursing student. My nursing program emphasize the benefits of a study group, I find that I study best by myself but have not tried to form or become part of a study group. I think I will give my nursing classmates more time to get to know each other; at the beginning everyone wants to socialize about the nursing program itself rather then the class material. regardless i dont think i will have time for a study group because i dont have enough time in my day. I have 3 kids and work 30 hrs a week, i barely have time to eat!
The most important thing here is to actually STUDY by yourself or with a study group. if anyone has any tips for me as far as success in the nursing program please dont hesitate to post
thanx:p