I hear all the time on these boards, "Get a study group!" when in nursing school. A few people in my class were trying to set one up but they don't all seem too motivated to get together. I am one of those people that thinks I probably do better by myself if I just PUT THE TIME IN TO STUDYING. Ok, granted, if I slack off and don't put the amount of time into my reading and studying obviously I may not understand so well and need a study group to "pick up the pieces". That said, seems like study groups would only be good for concepts that you are not grasping and need help on, but not for everyday studying/reviewing (assuming you are doing the everyday stuff). I am having visions of the study session quickly digressing into what nail parlor we go to or our most recent dates....which of course, would defeat the purpose.
So...............are study groups really necessary? I would like to hear from both sides...how did the study group help you/hurt you and if you are independent, how do you think that has served you/hurt you?
My feeling is that they could be helpful if it is a small, dedicated group. My major concern wouldn't necessarily be that the group would turn into a gossip session, but that the hardest working students would end up "teaching" the "slackers", if any, in the group. That's why I say if you do it, keep it small, and find folks who are as hard working as you are!
That's funny I hear all the time on these boards, "I hate study groups, I do much better on my own." I'm an on-my-own person too. All study groups I've ever attended quickly deteriorated into a gab fest. My time's too precious and limited right now to waste it on such things.
Ditto. I don't do study groups for that exact reason. And I've had participants of said study group get angry with me for not wanting to participate. Sorry, it just doesn't work for me. Too much yapping going on and people on all different subjects. While on the other hand, they work for others.
I have never done a study group. I find that they confuse me if something comes up and I don't have confidence that I know it 100%. I do find that talking to someone (just one person) the night before a test helps because it clears up a few things and I can help them with questions they have, which helps me review.
I did trade objectives with some of my classmates, but they were ones that I trusted and I knew that they were going to give me the right answers. There were several people who I had to tell that my friend and I were not going to split objectives with them because we know they were not as thorough as me.
I have always done better on my own for the most part. Occasionally I will find a group that really wants to study and not just visit or gossip, but not often. I guess it really depends on the individual and the group dynamics.
My feeling is that they could be helpful if it is a small, dedicated group. My major concern wouldn't necessarily be that the group would turn into a gossip session, but that the hardest working students would end up "teaching" the "slackers", if any, in the group. That's why I say if you do it, keep it small, and find folks who are as hard working as you are!
I agree with you!
I used a very small group for certain classes like pharmacology, anatomy and assessment. The verbal interaction really helped to cement the knowledge. It only worked well when the groups were academic peers. You don't want to have anyone who is really ahead of you or really behind you on the learning curve. Trust your instincts. If you need help you'll know it!
I needed to study the material on my own. Studying with someone that was reading the exact same thing drove me insane and stressed me right out!
Now, I did find that having someone WITH me, helped to keep me in my seat and focused on studying. I have the attention span of a gnat when it comes to studying.
You'll find what works best for you....don't worry about it...
I agree with you Thrashej. I'm scared to participate in one because of that very reason. We'll probably yack more than study. Also, in order to really get something out of a study group, it seems that you have to put in study time by yourself first or it's no good. Why come to a study session knowing nothing? You can't contribute that way. I've heard some of students partnering up and one person will read one section of material and the other person will read another section and then they'll teach each other the portion they were responsible for reading!:uhoh21: I would NEVER rely on someone to read something for me. Whose to say they comprehended the information the correct way? I think that I would only go to a study session if it involved learning lab techniques. I don't think it would help me on the reading portion. Maybe I'll change my mind about that. I know some people feel that they learn better when they have to explain to others, but that has really never worked for me, usually because so many people were talking it seemed like a distraction more than anything...
IMHO, I say get in a study group. I started my first semester of nursing school in the Fall of 2004. I have always been a loner when it came to studying, so I figured I could do it on my own. As the semester went on, I realized that I did need to get into a study group....but I still continued to think that I could make it on my own. I made it to the end of the semester but didn't make it by 2 points.....2 little points. So, the moral to my story....study groups are the way to go, especially if you find people that have similiar study habits. I do remember my clinical instructor telling us to never have more than 4 people in a study group....and never be afraid to give someone the "nursing clog"...if they aren't keeping up their end of the group. Hope this helps. I will be making a second attempt at nursing school next month...it's a BSN program though....I will definitely look for other students to join my study group.
Yeh, I have to agree with some posts here. Find study group partners that are dedicated to the study more so than wanting to gossip.
Well, this seems a little difficult. I made friends with a few people right off, some I knew from pre-reqs. So.........we all started talking and the subject came up about a study group. However, I don't see all in this group as being the dedicated ones. Some work FT and that just decreases the odds that they are going to pull their share. I mean, if I get a bad vibe from one of them, what am I supposed to do, say, "Uh, you can't be in our study group, I think you will end up being a slacker or a gabber". ???? Like others said, my time is too precious to take such chances.
Interesting commentary on the study groups though, thank you. I plan to go through the first tests alone and see how I do. If I get anhilated I plan to go the study group route, atleast give it a try.
Momto3andNurse2B
255 Posts
My feeling is that they could be helpful if it is a small, dedicated group. My major concern wouldn't necessarily be that the group would turn into a gossip session, but that the hardest working students would end up "teaching" the "slackers", if any, in the group. That's why I say if you do it, keep it small, and find folks who are as hard working as you are!