How would you describe a good study partner....

[~FutureNurse~]

I am about to start school (like next Thursday), and I hope to form a good study group. I have never studied in a group before, and I wanted to know what you guys consider to be a good study partner. Also, some things to avoid.

Any and all advice will be great!!

Thanks!

[Asherah, BSN, RN]

As you begin to get to know your classmates pay attention to those who appear to be active learners, who pay attention, ask relevant and thoughtful questions and appear to take thorough notes. Study groups are give and take relationships where each individual should contribute, so I would probably avoid individuals who have a tendency to not show up to class/clinical, always ask to borrow your notes without offering theirs in return, or those individuals who never appear to contribute to the study group discussions.

Most of the motivated individuals tend to gravitate towards each other anyway, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find a handful of individuals to form a group with. Also, don't forget that you should never be afraid to tell your group that you need some study time alone if you feel that works better for you. Good luck!

[Kasia3]

I think study groups or a study partner can be very helpful during nursing school.Last semester I joined a small study group of 4 and I have been doing way better on the exams,so I'm planning to stick with during my final year.

I think a good study group or study partner are:

*not too pushy-meaning they are not planning to meet every day but maybe once or twice a week to learn or review the information.

*people who you can rely on-people who come prepared to the meetings.

Study groups rock:)

[KIMMY03]

I agree with what the other people said as far as looking for students who are as diligent as you are.

Students to avoid would be gossipers, those with terrible attendance, and students who love to challenge authority...ie: Professors!! I've seen alot of those and trust me, it doesn't matter how right you think you are, that will get you nowhere!!

Another tip to make sure that your study group is productive is to try eliminating the overly talkative type. They may very well be smart (possibly even the smartest in the class) but if you end up chatting more than working, you may find that you would have been better off solo!

Good Luck!

[pharmgirl]

Someone told me when school started to never study with someone who is not on the same "wave" as you, they will bring you down. (sounds horrible I know). Try to find someone who is getting the same, if not better, grades as you are. I became friendly with another woman in class who always seemed to get the same grades as I did or one point off. We started studying together and it has worked wonderfully. We both have the same study style, we both have the same analytical questions and we both are able to talk through the logic of things with each other. Sometimes we tease that we share a brain. If you can find someone like this, you're grades are sure to sky rocket, as well as blossom a great new friendship.

Just never start studying with someone who does worse than you for whatever reason, you will end up spending more time teaching them or explaining things to them, than actually studying. Like another poster said, you want a give AND take.

[Perpetual Student]

Hairy, moist nose, cuddly, and inclined to lick. Most importantly, feline. Yeah, I like to study on my own, with a little moral support.

All joking aside, it is imperative that it be someone that truly wants to succeed. You also should not be annoyed by the person's mannerisms, as that would make it harder to focus (e.g. someone that chews with her mouth open would annoy the heck out of me). As PharmGirl stated, it should be someone who is doing as well as, or better than you. Definitely not someone struggling. Ideally, you can study with someone who has a compatible preferred learning technique.

[butrfli]

I personally find that study groups are good for review only. I just prefer to study on my own in a very quiet place and then get together with friends for a review. During reviews I find great ways others have learned certain material that stuck and I would apply it as well or I would find material they covered that I didn't and vise-versa which helped also. Be careful though because some study partners can make things very confusing if they didn't study good and gets things twisted which makes you doubt yourself with what you've studied and then you spend tons of limited time looking back at notes to reassure yourself. You may also find yourself teaching them material you already know the whole time instead of actually studying together and learning new material yourself. This is why I prefer to have a review group instead. I just work better alone. I would give it a try and see if it's for you or not. :wink2:

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Quiet. Absent.

[RNMom2010]

A pot of coffee and silence. :-)

[missjennmb]

I am not very into study groups. If someone needs help I don't mind helping them out once in awhile, but in general, I find that I get a lot more done if I do it on my own. I just don't get anything out of studying with others because it takes my focus off of what *I* need to do, and onto what *they* need.

[amjowens]

Most of my nursing courses have proven that studying in groups is a social investment. It's really important to develop a support group, but as for hard core studying and real results, I like the comment about a pot of coffee and quiet.

[CuriousMe]

I do 90% of my studying alone, but think my study group has been invaluable for that last 10%. When studying with other like minded folks, I can figure out what I didn't know that I didn't know

I agree with much of what everyone else said, the best study partners have a similar level of commitment to school. I have had study partners that have different learning styles....that's been helpful because different folks can express concepts in different ways.

Best of luck

Peace,

CuriousMe