Nursing study groups - anyone NOT find them helpful?

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I'm reading an optional text book now entitled "Test Success for Beginning Nursing Students". I'm only on the 2nd chapter, but there are a lot of references to studying with others and nursing study groups.

I've always studied best on my own. I'm open to the idea of a study group, but I don't want to have to make a special trip to school or anything for it (I live an hour away, one way).

Did anyone not find them helpful? I can see exchanging thoughts and ideas during or before/after class or clinicals, but I'm hesitant to change my entire way of learning. I also don't want to join one, then have to back out if we are assigned partners or something.

I'd love to know everyone else's thoughts and experiences with them.

i have to study on my own thoroughly first. then if i have time i'll meet with a group, provided the group is studious as well. (i am not showing up for a 3 hour tutor session where i just have my brain picked and get nothing out of it!) I am more for studying by myself then getting to class early and having a 30- 45 min quizzing session with other students over different things. more informal and i so far have always learned better on my own when studying.

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I usually study alone, but this summer I had to take a Pharmacology class and studied with 2 classmates. There is no way I could have done it without them. We all read on our own then met to disect the material. It worked really great for me. Its unfortuanate that I find this out in my last semester.

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The only time that I am good in study groups is if it is very small and I am teaching them something that I have caught on to and they haven't. Otherwise, it really does me no good and I am better on my own or just with one other person.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

Thank you for all of the replies. I guess I will just keep doing what it best for me, until such time, if it happens, that I need to change it.

Does/has anyone else read the book I referred to, "Test Success for Beginning Nursing Students"? It is optional on our book list, but I got it anyway, as I feel if I don't I might miss out on something. It's been pretty informative so far.

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I study well with or without a group. The study group I'm in currently gets together after class. We stay on top of things pretty much. We have goals that we get accomplished each time we meet. Like today we went over dosage calculations and what was covered in lecture. We start off each study session with 5 NCLEX type questions we've each wrote out and try to get the group to answer them and give rationales. So far it's working out. Friday we are getting together at a library that's equal distance to all of us so we don't have to drive too far. I like it b/c you get differnet opinions and suggestions on things we are learning. I also like the fact that I can go to one of my classmates for help on something if I'm having a hard time grasping the concept. (sometimes the professors are too busy or eating lunch) It also helps if you have other people who are going through the same thing you are that can pick you up and help you with your struggles. One girl in our group didn't pass our quiz today and was really upset. We got together and went over the questions she missed, gave her some encouraging words, and she retook the test today and passed it.

The key I think is to get with a group that has some things in common with you. If your single with no kids find some other people in your class who are single w/ no kids. You might also want to see if people live near you or close to your area.

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Thank you for all of the replies. I guess I will just keep doing what it best for me, until such time, if it happens, that I need to change it.

Does/has anyone else read the book I referred to, "Test Success for Beginning Nursing Students"? It is optional on our book list, but I got it anyway, as I feel if I don't I might miss out on something. It's been pretty informative so far.

I have that book and it's excellent. The way it tells you to break down each question inorder to get the answer is great. That's how I passed my quiz today.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.
I have that book and it's excellent. The way it tells you to break down each question inorder to get the answer is great. That's how I passed my quiz today.

Thanks so much for that info! I am liking the book so far, but as I haven't started classes yet, I don't have much to apply it to -- yet.

I do like that the break down the questions. That is similar to the NCLEX books/cd's I've read, saying that's what you need to do with the NCLEX exam (I know, a long way off for me!).

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Sounds like I might want to get this book, though I think a classmate of mine already has it and I can borrow hers.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

There was one student that I liked to bounce things off of. We were a very good study team and best buddies. Both individual studiers who liked access to each other, usually by phone, just to talk concepts out. It was a perfect match but she won't be back this semester. She decided she doesn't want to be a nurse after all. I am one very bummed student. I feel like I lost my left arm. She used to sit on my left in lecture.

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I have found in the years of going to school that the question is not if I like study groups or not - but if I can teach another the material at hand - and if I can, then I have mastered the material. Study groups IMHO opinion should be based on this - everyone should take turns "teaching" others.

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I definetely prefer to study alone. The worst thing for me is right before an exam when people start asking each other last minute questions and everyone has a different answer! :uhoh21: I actually leave the room so I don't get confused.

I agree with you!!! It makes it hard when you think you know the answer to something and then someone else is confused about it. The more they try to explain themselves, the more you start to doubt yourself. I prefer to study alone or with one other person. There seems to be too much socializing and off topic stories with larger groups. I don't find them to be as productive as studying alone.

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