surviving school without study partners

[Jaxs]

I'm returning to school after many years and after my first year I find myself without study buddies. I tried to hook up several times with several different groups or individuals but they either lived too far or already had their 'buddies' from previous classes. I feel like a fish out of water and this time around school is no fun, especially since it is so stressful, competitive and difficult! Any other 'loners' out there who survived on their own? This site is SO helpful!

[Music in My Heart]

This is a great point because I'm also someone who didn't like study groups but staying connected to the inside buzz is very important. It can be done and what helped me was sharing pointers I found while studying, other sources of information, practice questions etc. with the group of very connected students (they are in every class) during class time. It kept me inside the group enough so I was privvy to the info but didn't smother me.

I take this same tact. I share everything that I come across and most of the study aids and tools that I develop. I figure that it will pay dividends if I ever find myself in need of a hand from some classmates and I have already benefited from some folks sharing the 'inside scoop.'

The other thing I'd suggest: Foster relationships with the faculty. They are the ones who are really in the know, the ones in positions to help you when you need it, and the ones who will provide the initial base of your professional network. I neglected this during my first college stint and it ended up hurting me. It was the opposite during my second stint and that has really paid dividends, some which were unforeseeable.

[RNin2009]

I study with a group and also on my own. I run the study group, I wont allowed people to talk before we take a break. My study partners love the fact that I am tough on them. This semester the entire group passed Meg Surg 3, which was very challenging. Dont feel left out, study group is not for everyone. If you feel the need to be in a group, just ask a couple students if they can study with you. To complete nursing school, study group is not a requirement.

I have a wonderful study group too. Used to study on my own and never knew the benefits of a study group. If you feel comfortable on your own kudos, if you don't and believe you need a group, make sure you join an effective group with serious students willing to share and not depend on you sorely. Unfortunately there are some sudents out there who are very selfish yet ready to take from you. I have come to realize that nursing school without a network system can be very stressfull. You never know what might be brewing.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I'm part time in with mostly full timers. I always am the fish out of water. I'm used to it and have no desire to join a study group. I study on my own and maybe clear up a few points if I'm not clear and do just fine. I don't get caught up in the 'fluff' going on around me and my grades are the best they've ever been. Getting through it on my own has given me the confidence I'll need in the future when it's me and my patient or me and the NCLEX. Good luck and don't sweat it

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I hated to study with people. Maybe it was the personalities that were around at that time, but I found them to be very distracting, petty and competitive for no reason. Also, many of them were really cheat groups who passed notes and gave signals during exams, so, I wanted no part of them.

I lucked out on on a tutor, though. This guy happened to be a physician in his own country who worked in the study hall. We got into a conversation once, and I discovered that he was working on becoming a physician here in this country and we worked out an agreement of payment. This was the most interactive, worthwhile, mutually beneficial relationship available. It helped him stay on his toes, gave him fuel to study things on his level, but we used to reinact scenes where he would be the doctor, place orders and ask my "WHY" before I made a move. He had me explain what was happening in this disease process, what was the treatment, meds, etc... He made it so interesting that I was able to then go home and review everything we discussed with more comprehension. But, I would have never discovered this resource if I had been around others. That is just me, but I was better off alone.

[goodstudentnowRN]

Well, I found I did not need a study group per se. Eventually, I wound up talking with others regarding projects and clearing up points, but I never really had a study group. I found I work better when studying alone vs a group.

If you feel you really need a study group, just make yourself accessible and ask someone who sits near you if you can study together. Give it time, being together in a program for any length of time leads to relationships being formed. I am sure you will settle in soon as well too.

I too work better as against studying in a group. Sometimes these study partners want someone to teach them. I had one who definitely wanted me to teach her and to give her my paper so that she can make good grades. I am so discouraged when it comes to study partners. Especially if they cannot contribute to the discussion at hand.

[light4Him]

I tried the study group thing, but I have found that I learn more when I just study by myself. I know that this may sound strange, but my instructor told me (regarding cardiac dysrhythmias) to stand in front of the mirror and hold up the strip in front of the mirror and ask myself, what is this rhythm? What is the first thing that I need to do with my patient? What treatment will correct it? Do I need to contact the MD? Questions like that. I also speak out loud to myself after going over the material. (See it, write it, say it) I pretend that I am actually teaching someone else about whatever I am studying. And I think it really helps me. I know that it sounds off the wall, but whatever works, right? :)

[targen]

I have group of friends and we tried to study as a it is but I guess we didn't loved it that much since we always go off topic and found ourselves talking more on the unrelated issues. Though, we study alone now, we always make it a point to ask questions on each other so we can correct or add some important pointers.

I think, you don't really need a study group in order to survive school life, it's just a matter of self discipline and perseverance. But put in mind that, you need also to connect with other people...because school life is pretty boring if you don't have friends/buddies to share experiences with.

keep smiling:coollook:

[sistasoul]

I just graduated. I never had a study group because I would talk about social stuff rather than academics. I have a previous bachelors degree and never used a study group then either.

I always asked others how they studied for exams and took that info into consideration.

I did fine in school. You will find what works best for you. We are all different.

H.

[SarasotaRN2b]

I would say that I study alone 95% of the time, and the other 5% is with a classmate when we get together once a week. I will, however, share tips I've learned on my own (or through this forum) with my other classmates.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I have a very close friend, who, as much as I love her, noticed that when she entered into the RN program (she was already an LPN), she had latched on to a study group, but didn't contribute much to it. She was so dependent on them that she felt she could not do without them. Actually, they were also a group that cheated together, and my friend wanted to reap the benefits of the cheating.

What eventually happened was that during a final exam in one of her classes, suddenly, they sat in different places, almost as though they were avoiding her, passed the finaland moved on to the next semester while she had to repeat and graduate later than her peers. I don't support cheating groups, but somehow, I suspect that they got tired of 'carrying her' and left her on her own. She was basically forced to learn on her own the next semester. Ultimately, she did pass and became an RN.

Basically, I felt that I can depend on myself, but not too much on others. If people bail out on you, you will be alone, anyhow. This was my motto. This is not to say that people should not or cannot benefit from study groups. But, the bottom line is that you have to care for yourself and use them as a support but not to assume that because you are in one, that you are made in the shade, so to speak.

[mickswit]

I always dreaded studying in groups because everytime we all got together I was the only one that had done the reading. which made me feel like I could have put more time in my own studying alone. The whole purpose of a study group is to aid each other in the study process of retaining information for the test. You may be able to strengthen my understanding of renal failure when I may have a stronger understanding of heart failure. Study groups have always left a bad taste in my mouth- usually because everyone does not have the same agenda.:argue:

[Music in My Heart]

I always dreaded studying in groups because everytime we all got together I was the only one that had done the reading.

If I walked into a study group and found that most of the others were unprepared I would pack up my things and walk out. It's a study group, not a tutoring session.