Do you NEED a study group to get through nursing school?

[Student2017555]

I am currently in MedSurg two. I passed MedSurg one with an 85 and though it was very difficult for me I studied a lot and I'm happy with my grade. MedSurg two in my program has been the only thing anyone can talk about because of the horrible reputation that the teacher and the class has for failing. We have taken three test so far and I have gotten high b's on all of them. I spoke to my instructor before the second test because it was supposed to be very hard and she scolded me for not being in a study group and that maybe that's why I have to study so hard to get good grades. I have studied alone the entire time I have been in school because it has worked for me and I don't get along with a lot of the girls in my class so I tend to be by myself. I I tried to take her advice and join a study group because she and almost every other person I have asked for advice has stress that study groups are needed to do well in nursing school but I tried to study with two different groups and it seems that either they want me to teach them the material or they just want to gossip the whole time and it seems counterproductive I don't know if I missing something and I really want to do well and I don't want to give myself more work than I have to but groups really don't work for me and it makes me feel like the odd man out that I am not in one when every previous student and instructor I've talked to has said that study groups are the best ways to pass through nursing school. Did anyone else have this problem ? Is it okay to study by yourself ?

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

Nope not at all

[supakimchee]

It seems painfully obvious that your instructor is not well-versed when it comes to individual preferences for learning/studying. Your instructor needs to learn to become an educator and not just a nurse (being a good nurse does not mean she is a good instructor).

With that said, you need to stick with what works best for yourself. It sounds like you are doing a good job studying alone. I hate to sound cliche, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Whatever you are doing, it seems to be working. I studied alone during most of my nursing school and I was the top GPA at graduation.

There's pros and cons with both studying alone and in groups. If you cannot grasp concepts in Med-Surg from the lectures and readings, studying alone is probably a bad idea. Some of my classmates that did not pass were studying without understanding key concepts or were using bad rationales, and they did not have people to correct them. That is a recipe for disaster, not only in the classroom, but if you happen to eek by nursing school and into the NCLEX. However, if you find that you can understand concepts, the nursing process, and interventions/teachings correctly by studying alone, I would say this is the preferred method. Studying alone saves time, and you can go at your own pace.

I've been a part of a few study groups and I've seen people that do really well with them and people that definitely are better off studying alone. I came into nursing school knowing that I'm a better independent study person (but I figured this out in college for my first Bachelor's degree). A few things that happen in study groups can be downright negative. It is usually dependent on whoever is leading the study group. I've seen groups focus on some of the most useless subjects/conversations for long periods of time. I've also seen people giving false information to their group mates (blind leading the blind).

If you absolutely have to study in a group, find one other person that you know understands the concepts and you get along with. Other than that, it sounds like you are doing perfectly fine!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Is it okay to study by yourself ?

I've studied by myself during four different nursing programs (LVN '05, ASN '10, BSN '15, and currently in an MSN program) and never participated in any study groups.

I'm a hardcore lone wolf as far as studying is concerned. Study groups are not conducive to the preferences of those of us who lean toward introversion. Therefore, it is okay to study by yourself as long as you can keep up. Good luck!

[bgxyrnf, MSN, RN]

My experience is that study groups are inefficient because you spend time on topics in which you're already strong.

I eschew study groups and I've been spectacularly successful in my academic pursuits.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

My experience with study groups is they talk about everything but the subject at hand. I study by myself. I have a close friend that we text and ask questions to, but we don't physically get together and study.

Any experiences I have had in groups in my cohort has been negative. The back-stabbing and pettiness is awful and I refuse to be apart of it. I have a couple of girls I have gotten friendly with, but that is it.

[blongo]

In my opinion you absolutely do. It is so helpful to have a group. BUT everyone is different and has different personalities. As some people have already stated they prefer to study alone. I suppose it is a personal preference but I found it to be advantageous.

[rmariee]

You absolutely do not need a study group to do well. Study groups were never my thing. It commonly lead to lots of talking and being off topic and never getting much actual studying done. I preferred to study alone. Do what works best for you. You are getting good grades so far.. Stick with what you are doing!

[RainMom]

In my class, most of the students in study groups failed the second semester & the ones that passed, still struggled. Do what works for you.

[cccns2016]

I'll be graduating from my nursing program this May and study groups have really been so helpful to me! Of course they aren't absolutely necessary but it's nice to get other's perspectives and ideas on some topics!

[born_this_way]

I prefer to study alone. I'm way more efficient when I study alone. My cohort has a facebook group where we post helpful hints and reminders and that is really helpful to me. Bur as far as studying, alone.

Do you mean your classmates post on Facebook?

[SeattleJess]

No, you don't. I got the same pressure from instructors about how I need a study group. You need to find what works for you and what is the most efficient use of your time. Sounds as if you are doing well. Maybe keep trying to find people to review with; it does help to have others' input... but don't worry that you are doomed to fail if you can't find that. You are not.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

I'm currently in my second year, 3rd semester of a RN program. To date, not a single study group; though some of my classmates get together from time to time. Our school runs mini-semesters were we cover 14-15 weeks of material in six weeks, then one week of finals; then there's typically two days to a week break (that is not a break as we are preparing for the second mini-semester) before we start all over again. The mini-semester runs so quick with exams either every week (i.e. oncology) or every other week that there's very little time to get together even if study groups make sense.

Prior to the RN program, I tried a few study groups while working on the prerequisites. One ran well, the others were a way to socialize. A good study group will be small, organized, and focused. And yes, a good one will involve everyone participating to a point where one person teaches the entire group on a "section" of the material, and another person teaches the group on another segment and so on.