Study groups... To be or not to be?

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · May 7, 2010

Depends what you mean by 'study'. If by 'study' you mean 'get together with a small group of focused individuals and mostly go over course content' then yes, form a study group, especially if you're the type of person for whom showing up to a study group is a good motivator to study on your own. However, if by 'study' you mean 'get together with an inordinately large number of people and talk about anything but course content' then you can do without.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · May 7, 2010

I cannot study in groups because I find the group (and myself) get off topic and start chatting about a bunch of different things and the actual "studying" just doesn't happen. I study better on my own, unless I find someone who really focuses on the material and isn't chatty. I found a partner to study with for my critical care final the day of the final...someone that I never knew prior to that. We had an AWESOME review, only talked about "other" stuff for a few minutes when we needed a little breather, then plowed through that material. It really helped me get an awesome score on the final and earn an A- in the class :yeah:

Basically, if you're going to form a study group, be careful about who you pick!

tokyoROSE, BSN, RN · May 7, 2010

It depends on your learning style. If studying with other people helps, then go for it. I always study alone because it keeps me focused. Sometimes I like to review the material right before the test with my friend. I could never do group. I get way ADHD and distracted :clown:

happy2learn · May 7, 2010

I don't like study groups. I usually find myself teaching someone else because they are not on the same learning level as me so it is only beneficial to them and not me. If you can find individuals on your same learning level, then it would be good. Otherwise, it's a waste.

I personally learn better on my own. But some people learn better with others.

kcochrane · May 7, 2010

I find that study groups don't work for me. I have to sit down and understand the material first before I try and work on it in a group. But many people do well in groups.

So it really depends on your learning style.

CBsMommy · May 7, 2010

I'm with Happy2Learn. I have always found myself pulling other people up and when they still don't do as well as they would've liked, I still get the blame. I don't think that I will belong to another study group. Some people really benefit from it though. Good luck!

noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP · May 7, 2010

We work together to compile study guides (as in: we each are assigned a section to write up and then we email out our parts to the group). We all review these study guides on our own though.

Butterfliesnroses · May 7, 2010

I don't do study groups. For me it's not effective to study with others b/c conversation tends to not be on the material. However there are people in my nursing class who study together. That is there choice and it seems to be working well for them. I think it depends on your personal style of studying.

Saysfaa · May 7, 2010

I tried a study group for the first time this term. I thought it would be a waste of time. It was anything but a waste of time.

We studied on our own first and answered all the study guide questions on our own first. Then met to discuss the material and answers. We also shared test taking strategies and things we had learned in other classes or from outside sources. I think part of the reason our group was so successful, is we had different strengths/weaknesses and were all willing to share from our strengths and take help with our weaknesses.

We each had times of explaining to the others and of learning from another. I was helped either way.

There were no disadvatages to being in this group.

Intern67 · May 7, 2010

I'm starting NS in Sept , and I'm wondering is it worth starting/joining a study group? Any advice? Any pros, cons, stories, tips are greatly appreciated! :) Is it beneficial or just a waste of time?

Yes, it is worth joining or starting a study group. Like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it.

I'm kind of a study group "person with loose morals who engages intimately with multiple partners" (They wont let me post the term that start with "s" and rhymes with "butt").

Anyone is welcome in my groups and I try to accomodate invitations to groups that fit my schedule. Study groups I am in tend to evolve into tutoring sessions led by me, but that seems just fine with all the participants. I sure learn the difficult concepts very well when I explain it from many different perspectives.

I would suggest joining as many study groups as you can. You will see the different personalities, preferences, and methods. The study groups I have been in this year have had some turnover as people's job demands, preferences, or family situations change. (Nothing like a case of sperm poisoning to drop you right out of a study group!)

Getting together and discussing these new and challenging concepts is the best part of study group. You can check your perceptions against others and learn from each other.

Have fun!

DayDreamin ER CRNP · May 7, 2010

I NEED a study group. I've studied with the same girls for the past 2 years of school and could not make it without them. There are really just 4 of us but each of us bring something to the table.

I get the most out of a study group by studying on my own a day or two before the day before the test and then we come together to talk about stuff, go through the study guide, practice questions, etc. I really get a lot of out talking about the subject and coming up with rationales and such.

I am very good at dissecting the questions and picking out what the question is actually asking and then talking about why this answer works and that one doesn't. I'm not as strong on the patho of stuff but my good study buddy is so it works for us.

We get off topic sometimes and we don't always agree but we do work together well and we all make about the same grades - high Bs to mid As. It works for us!

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