Study suggestions for group learning

anonymousstudent · Feb 11, 2011

You should ask them. Though if they are doing that poorly they probably don't know how to learn on their own.

My guess is you're going to be doing a lot of spoon feeding.

I would set it up so that each of them has to come with a portion of the material ready to teach the others. Divide it up however you see fit. Then they have some accountability for the meeting and you don't shoulder all of the work. It will help them to have a small piece and to be responsible for it. Then help them through it if they really botch it or just aren't getting it. Have them bring helpful handouts and notes on their section for the other students.

That's what I'd do anyway.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Feb 11, 2011

set clear ground rules. No pizza. No talking about date night, instructors, etc. Let them assign each other a topic then come to group PREPARED. If someone is not prepared they are not allowed to ask questions. If this perpetuates, they are removed from the group. You have to be tough or they will look to you to give them all the answers. When I was in school our group ended up making the best grades. But we eliminated several from our group who just wanted to whine or learn by osmosis.

CuriousMe · Feb 11, 2011

Hello....
I need help please. I am in pathophysiology and many people are struggling. I am doing ok (B) and have been asked to help with a study group by those who are struggling. I am typically not a "group study" kind of person. I have made nursing school my job. I go to school three days per week, and the other four, are spent studying or doing what needs to be done for school. I am not especially fond of patho (who is right?) but since I am doing well, I agreed to help. These are my friends, and I want to see them succeed.
Many, have expressed how they need a group setting and discussion to get the material to sink in. When I learn, (I am older) I pull from my experiences. I relate to what has happened to myself or family and use that to help me remember. Or, I have mood disorder parties, or neuromuscular seminars in my living-room and make up wild stories. I don't know how to lead a study group or how to give helpful suggestions, or how to help in any way. Do any of you have any suggestions that would help me to help them?
No suggestion is too small... Thanks in advance.

That sounds less like a study session and more like a tutoring session. They're very different things. The only way I've found a group study session useful, is if everyone has done their own learning before getting there. That way we can focus on that "one thing" that each of us are having difficulties with, not spend all our time teaching someone the course.

A tutoring session is different though, that's generally one person spoon feeding the rest of the group who hasn't done their own work. This may seem like a kindness, but unless you're willing to do it for the rest of the program....it's not.

At a guess, I'd say that your grades are likely due to your study schedule, and if your friends adopted your schedule, their grades would improve.

Liebchen · Feb 11, 2011

Thank you all so much. I do want to keep it a "study session" and not a "tutor session". I am in no position to tutor anybody. I do feel that many of the group want to be spoon fed. However, I also feel that many are spending lots of time studying and just are not getting it to stick.

I like the idea of dividing the work and teaching each other. I think I will try that. Thank you all for your input. I appreciate it very much.

Liebchen · Feb 11, 2011

set clear ground rules. No pizza. No talking about date night, instructors, etc. Let them assign each other a topic then come to group PREPARED. If someone is not prepared they are not allowed to ask questions. If this perpetuates, they are removed from the group. You have to be tough or they will look to you to give them all the answers. When I was in school our group ended up making the best grades. But we eliminated several from our group who just wanted to whine or learn by osmosis.

I agree 100%. This is one reason I don't do well in study groups. I don't want to hear all the latest gossip and drama. I hate drama... I have enough of my own. Thanks for your input.