How do you do a study group?

Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 12, 2012

I didn't do well with study groups. I found that for the most part there was a lot of socializing and goofing off for my taste. I felt that they wasted a lot of my time that could have been spent studying on my own. I also found that there were sometimes differences in focusing on what I felt was important versus what the group wanted to focus on. I felt that what I wanted to concentrate on was vital while what they wanted to focus on seemed frivilous and didn't have much to do with the topic at hand. Right, wrong or indifferent, I'd rather not have to deal with personalities and power struggles. I just want to open up a book, sit down and study what I want, when I want. Best of luck. Maybe others have had better luck than me.

KLBatchelor · Aug 12, 2012

I didn't do well with study groups. I found that for the most part there was a lot of socializing and goofing off for my taste. I felt that they wasted a lot of my time that could have been spent studying on my own. I also found that there were sometimes differences in focusing on what I felt was important versus what the group wanted to focus on. I felt that what I wanted to concentrate on was vital while what they wanted to focus on seemed frivilous and didn't have much to do with the topic at hand. Right, wrong or indifferent, I'd rather not have to deal with personalities and power struggles. I just want to open up a book, sit down and study what I want, when I want. Best of luck. Maybe others have had better luck than me.

Thanks for your reply Natkat, I thought this would be how I feel but I want to give it a shot just in case this works well for me. In the past though I've usually been a 'study quietly in my book room at home' type person. :)

jasilady · Aug 12, 2012

Well me personally wasn't a fan of study groups but last spring semester I linked up with two wonderful lady's. We were all on the same page as far and studying and it helped because we were able to talk about subjects and if I didn't get something or if I needed things explained differently we were able to discuss it. It worked for me allowing me to not just go into a test memorizing but actually learning the information. We all hVe been accepted to the program for this fall.. One of the girls actually is going to be in a different program so she will not be studying with us.. Bt me and my other friend have concluded we are not adding any one to r study group we work well together!! Yes we do socialize because we ended up being really good friends but we know how to bring it back to the topics at hand.. I think big study groups sometimes lose track of that.. I also think that study groups shouldn't be the only mean of studying either because although it was three of us.. We all tested differently and had different grades.. I think 3 people in a study group is the max.. I would say try it find two other people that are passionate and driven about nursing as you are and go from there if it doesn't work then u are not obligated!! That's the great thing about a study group!!

Stoogesfan · Aug 12, 2012

How do you find the time for a study group? I would really like to join one but I just can't see when I would find time to go to one. I don't live close to anyone in my program so I'd be looking at a 30 minute drive there and back.

erbryan · Aug 12, 2012

We had a study group 6 of us it was all business no chatting or going off are task at hand, the thing is to stay focused on what you want to accomplish for the time you will be meeting. Our breaks were for off course conversations , and than back to work. Hope that helps

erbryan · Aug 12, 2012

We had a study group 6 of us it was all business no chatting or going off are task at hand, the thing is to stay focused on what you want to accomplish for the time you will be meeting. Our breaks were for off course conversations , and than back to work. Hope that helps

MissRN2b · Aug 12, 2012

I've never been part of a study group, but I've also wondered how they work. For instance, how is the material reviewed? Is there an outline or something the group goes over, or does each person take a section from each chapter and go over it with the group? Just wondering.

L8RRN · Aug 12, 2012

We did "study groups" in nursing school. I found they were most effective when there were no more than 3-4 people, though. More than that seemed to get everything off topic easily and too many conversations at once. You really need to watch who you are with, too. Some view a study group as social hour and want to talk about what they did last weekend. We had to change locations from time to time to keep those students from just showing up to chat.

We usually would all read the chapter and take our own notes beforehand then discuss what we had written down/highlighted. You can also review notes from class, key terms, etc. It helped reinforce what we had learned in class but also pointed out information that was in the book that we may have missed on our own. Before tests we basically just threw out facts and information as reminders like normal lab values, nursing interventions (sit upright if having difficulty breathing, etc), medications, etc.

In my last year of my RN program, I paired up with one student who had similar motivation and we kept it just the two of us. She would read one chapter and I would read another and we would teach each other. There was soooo much reading to do (and it can be pretty dry) that it was hard to keep up on our own so spliting the reading really worked for us but we spent several hours each weekend "teaching" each other our chapters. We were military wives with deployed husbands so it worked for us at the time. I felt that way helped because I was able to discuss it and remember it better than if I tried to read all of it on my own. My mind tends to wander when I am reading and that way helped keep me up on the material.

Good luck! I met some of my closest friends in nursing school and still keep in touch with them now.

PNicholas · Aug 12, 2012

I was definitely one who said I don't study well in study groups...til I made a C first semester!! Who knew study groups were awesome??!! Needless to say, I joined one and made an A second semester!! These girls are some of my closest friends!! The keys are 1- small group, no more than 6 people. 2- have one person to lead, state what the goals are such as how far you are going to study, what order etc. 3- have one person who keeps you on track...its good to laugh and joke but stay focused, breaks are good but it can't become a therapy session! 4- amount of time...we study at least 2 days a week when we don't have test and 3-4 when we do...don't forget to study on your own too! If one study group doesn't work for you...find a new one. Don't be afraid to Skype in a person if you need to!! Once you find something that works...keep it sacred! Greatest advice we ever got from our instructor! Once people see you have something that works, they want to join. Unfortunately, that can hinder you. Lastly, don't be afraid to give it a try! You are not committed for life if you don't like it!!

PersistentNS · Aug 12, 2012

I've been in both good and bad groups. It's unfortunately a trial and error type of thing. The three problem types that I encountered were the ones that wanted to socialize, the ones that think they know-it-all (possibly giving the wrong information!) and the ones that had taken the class before so they felt they knew everything (also possibly giving the wrong information!). I have gotten to know who's serious about studying and those who want to chitchat. I also know those who are in-between. It doesn't mean that you can't be friends with people that fall into these categories, it just means that you might be better off studying on your own if they ask you to study with them. Good luck!

appi-us · Aug 12, 2012

Well me personally wasn't a fan of study groups but last spring semester I linked up with two wonderful lady's. We were all on the same page as far and studying and it helped because we were able to talk about subjects and if I didn't get something or if I needed things explained differently we were able to discuss it. It worked for me allowing me to not just go into a test memorizing but actually learning the information. We all hVe been accepted to the program for this fall.. One of the girls actually is going to be in a different program so she will not be studying with us.. Bt me and my other friend have concluded we are not adding any one to r study group we work well together!! Yes we do socialize because we ended up being really good friends but we know how to bring it back to the topics at hand.. I think big study groups sometimes lose track of that.. I also think that study groups shouldn't be the only mean of studying either because although it was three of us.. We all tested differently and had different grades.. I think 3 people in a study group is the max.. I would say try it find two other people that are passionate and driven about nursing as you are and go from there if it doesn't work then u are not obligated!! That's the great thing about a study group!!

I couldn't agree more with this! I used to have a study-buddy and we brainstormed very well together. We studied on our own and then met up to discuss the material and clarify misunderstandings ect. But it doesn't work with too many participants. Most importantly, the students who study together need to be on the same page...that was just my experience...