Study groups in nursing school

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Do you find study groups a good use of your time in nursing school? I've always done pretty well studying alone and it can be difficult to coordinate schedules. However, I sometimes feel like there could be something gained from having multiple perspectives of good students or even just the camaraderie aspect.

So have study groups been worth the effort or a waste of time in your experience?

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Specializes in Varied.

Having someone to correspond with and discuss topics is helpful, but not necessary. I am 50% finished with my MSN and have never utilized a study group.

What I have done, however, is connected with students in the class that I could discuss content with. I'm wildly independent and didn't see much value in study groups, until recently. When discussing an exam with one of my fellow-classmates, I was able to reengage the content and reinforce my learning. What I wasn't sure of, I looked up, which helped with retention and recall. For that reason alone, I would highly recommend connecting with others.

You are going to call on your fellow nurses often in practice and I would recommend learning now how to do that! Creating a group or connecting with others will help you grow professionally.

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I second the above poster.. I have seen 2 entire study groups be knocked out of my class.. and I’m being literal! I’m much better studying solo and then meeting with a few classmates to discuss topics before the test

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Sorry if this reply is too late to be of help; I hope not. I went through nursing school twice, once for my LPN, and then again for my RN. I have to say YES to the study groups, but only in addition to your solo studying, not in place of it. Study on your own, but use those study groups to challenge what you think you've learned. Those people you're in school with are just as smart as you, and in some cases, some of them are a hell of a lot smarter than you...or at least that's how it was for me. A lot of the people I studied with had notes from lectures I'd attended, but somehow missed certain points...even though I am a meticulous note taker. I was SO glad I attended those study groups, introvert that I am.

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I found study groups to be a useless waste of time, rivaled only by the mandatory group project groups for aggravating an individual. Done properly they could have been very beneficial, but always turned into social coffee “klatches”.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Believe it or not, I found my study group (4 of us) helped, and this is coming from a very solitary person. I also do a lot of studying alone, but hearing different takes on topics made a big difference.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I would say I did maybe 70% solo, but I'd also meet with my small circle early the day before and of the tests to discuss.

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I've never used a study group while in nursing school. I used one during my prerequisites and it was so very helpful. My professors this semester are really trying to push study groups on us but I've been doing really well studying on my own because I'm a reader. I read the textbook until I know the material and not a lot of students study that way. To each their own. If you do choose a study group, try not to pick your friends. It's harder to stay on topic (from experience)

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Specializes in Neuro.

Study groups have taught me I'm too sociable to study in a group. I truly don't learn anything unless I'm studying alone. If you do best studying alone, stick with that. I kinda felt off for not being in a study group...then I went & tried one, learned nothing & decided to stick to what worked best for me, being solo. So, whatever works best for you is what you should do.

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Thanks for everyone's advice. I've never been a study group type person, but I can see how having some classmates to discuss topics with more thoroughly could help.

My biggest hesitation for joining a study group is seeing in my prerequisite courses, some people in study groups have questionable ethics. There is a lot more copying of homework, sharing what's on the test, etc. I don't want to be pressured into that and if it is going on I rather not know about it or be involved.

Maybe some type of informal discussion every once in a while, and a buddy to practice hands-on skills with is a good middle ground.

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On 5/15/2019 at 2:10 AM, RubyDeeRN said:

Sorry if this reply is too late to be of help; I hope not. I went through nursing school twice, once for my LPN, and then again for my RN. I have to say YES to the study groups, but only in addition to your solo studying, not in place of it. Study on your own, but use those study groups to challenge what you think you've learned. Those people you're in school with are just as smart as you, and in some cases, some of them are a hell of a lot smarter than you...or at least that's how it was for me. A lot of the people I studied with had notes from lectures I'd attended, but somehow missed certain points...even though I am a meticulous note taker. I was SO glad I attended those study groups, introvert that I am. 

It's a good point that study groups shouldn't be in place of studying. It seems that if the people around you are prepared, then you have that "challenging" atmosphere.

From what you and others have said it seems that most people can benefit from a study group if everyone comes prepared and is focused on studying.

I might give it a try next semester if I can find the right group.

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