Study Groups or Study Alone ???

nursesdreambig · Feb 2, 2017

I also agree with you @ItsThatJenGirl in that you learn when you text someone else. I'm not in the program, but I'm applying next week and also want to prep my self for it. In physiology I found myself teaching others and it helped me personally to retain all information after teaching it to others. Not to mentioned that I had already reviewed the information on my own, so reinforcing discussions with others was beneficial for myself. I got an A in physio and they got B's ;-) so it's all up to the methods you chose @paola2319

AngelKissed857, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2017

In my last semester-, also a solo study kind of person. Have terrific grades, go with what works, and if it stops working, do something differentd

she244 · Feb 3, 2017

Hi! A few of us formed study groups and stayed committed to remaining on topic and making sure we had the same topic notes pertaining to the upcoming exams. It worked for us as we were older students and I guess needed that support from each other. We made sure anyone wanting to join understood we were serious and did not stray from the objective of what we were studying. We all have different learning styles and some take better notes. So it helped all of us.

DesertRosee · Feb 3, 2017

I would study how you normally would study. You know the old saying if it isn't broke don't fix it? I wouldn't change you're study method that's been working for you so far unless you don't do well on your first test, then I would consider joining a study group.

GourmandG · Feb 5, 2017

Op,

I used to study alone as well but found that for nursing school, it was best to keep an open mind and get in with a study group sooner than later. You don't always have to meet with them and you can easily either meet before or after class too. When I realized that I wanted to join a study group, they've already been established and I wasn't able to find one. I ended up partnering with someone whom also didn't have a study group which worked out.

Even if you don't need help and end up helping the others, you'll still benefit because you'll learn by teaching, having friends, someone you can call to ask questions and it's especially helpful if you have clinical together. My good friends whom I haven't had clinical with, we give each other a heads up on how the paperwork goes and what is expected. It's nice to vent to nursing friends because non nursing friends just don't understand. It's also an opportunity to network and these friends may have friends and relatives whom could put in a good word for you when it comes time to apply for a job. Do well grade wise but balance it out with hopefully forming some life long friendships and connections. Good luck!

OliverElio87, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2017

I prefer to study on my own. Group study sessions usually end up being social gatherings lol.

jaderook01, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2017

Okay this is my first semester in nursing school, a lot of people say forming a study groups is good way to pass your nursing classes, but I've always been a solo type of girl , I function better alone but I'm having doubts. Maybe is a good idea to form a study group? Or should I keep studying alone and see how that goes

You know yourself best. Be confident. I never joined study groups and did quite well in all of my classes. The few times I attempted to do the study group thing, I wound up having to study before going to study, if you know what I mean. People socializing in the groups got in the way of my valuable study time.

floatingrib · Feb 8, 2017

Depends on the class and class style/questions. I'm a all quiet solitude studying sort of girl, but an hour before exams when u basically know your stuff or you don't, I found it sooooo helpful to revise with a group, and I've never group studied before. For pathophysiology and nutrition and some of my lower level nursing classes just explaining mechanisms to others and I brushed up on info I didn't even know I'd confused.

Also I realized some nursing classes are super application based, like for anatomy I had high As all the way through but our professor primarily tested us on memorization, but for patho our professor did everything application based and that's and for me personally helped to study in groups to revise.

But at the end know how you study. I still primarily take notes and study alone, but just revise right before exams with groups and I've found just me asking questions out loud and answering myself (like solo studying lol) apparently is very helpful for others so both is a better answer.

futurenurse.jc · Feb 9, 2017

Just passed my first two nursing classes with awesome scores. I study alone and haven't found study groups that I would want to stick with. I did not have any medical background experience and noticed that when I studied with my LVN classmates they tend to mention a lot of stories and medications that I've never heard before. That type of studying is not helping me much. Sometimes, my classmates would mention things that I haven't studied or didn't think would be important (i.e. how many alcoholics are there in America?) which I would find myself dumbfounded.

The nursing staffs at my school encourages study group. I might join a study group later and like what posts here says "If it isn't broke don't fix it." If your scores are great stick to your study habit.

I like to study alone because I can be on my own pace and can practice how to be self-sufficient. You're doing great!

HermioneG, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2017

I'm in my last quarter, and I've always studied alone. I've found that I do best when I study alone but still pool notes with other students from my class. I've always found that study groups either turn into social hour, or that we end up focusing on concepts that I'm already comfortable with.

That's just me though. What might be helpful is if you did both. Give a couple of study groups a try, but also study alone to see what you like best. Good luck and have fun in nursing school! Enjoy it, because it went by so fast for me, and I really did have such a great time. Cheers!