Study Groups

[EdistoDan]

I'm interested in what works best for study groups. We're first semester students, and with 170 of us in the class there's a lot opportunity to feel out different groups. I have found small groups (no larger than 4) seem to be more productive. I've also found several groups spend more time talking about studying than actually studying. For the most part, my groups have read the material ahead of time.

All of our school's exams are NCLEX style questions. This is what makes nursing groups different than previous groups, we're not just talking definitions anymore. The last group I joined we spent the entire time drilling each other with NCLEX questions, which seemed to work well.

My question is what format works best? What format are your groups using?

[mistydbuffa]

I am sure I will be doing study groups. I am fortunate that all my kids will be in class from 8-4 m-f . That will actually help me I am sure. Lecture is on Mondays from 8a-5p. Clinical is on Fridays from 7a-3p. We will have lab one of the other three days. We don't start until the 24th of September. One thing we did do was create a Facebook group for our particular class. We are cohorts from what I understand and our small group of 40 students will begin all the same classes and we will all be on class together until we complete the program. I find that wonderful. We will all be on the same page, all be with the same instructor, all have the same expectation placed on us, and more than that we will be able to relate. The fb page is private and closed. A class member can join only by being added by someone who is already in the group. This way we can post times and dates for study groups. Whether it is a reading group, nclex prep group, lab study group, etc. I think it will be helpful too to be able to network among ourselves, remind ourselves of deadlines, and in general be supportive group for one another.

I do find, however, that smaller groups work more effectively. They tend to be more focused. Good luck in your study plan endeavors!

[EdistoDan]

Great point about FB groups. I have used this for the past 4 courses and it works well especially if everyone's schedule is different. It keeps the school topics off your regular news feed and collaboration on projects/ homework is very efficient. We have about 30 in our FB group now, but a face to face group of 30 wouldn't get very much done.

Thanks for you input.