Creating effective study groups is a way to enhance learning. Group members share unique insights and perspectives of course content and it allows participants to learn from each other.

Study groups are particularly effective for completing projects, developing presentations and preparing for exams. 

How to Form a Study Group

• Find people who share your academic goals
  • You want to work with other students that are serious about what needs be done; they know that good study groups can make all the difference in doing well.

• Meet informally to discuss group goals, meeting times, etc.
  • This is often the initial step that is not done; it’s so important to make sure everyone has the some goals and availability.

• Establish group expectations and ground rules about things like phone use, being late, food, etc. This might feel awkward, but important to maintain a group that functions well.

•  Limit to 3 or 4 people    If there are too many people in a group you can have sub-groups developed which changes the group dynamics.

• Do not meet with friends  I think there’s some obvious reasons that meeting with friends could be more distracting than productive. Also when you know you’re not going to meet with friends – there is a higher level of accountability.

• Have an Agenda This is also a component that’s often not included and it leaves too much time wasted because there’s no direction as to how to use the time.

• Meet on a regular Basis Once it becomes a consistent scheduled meeting; it will be respected as such and positive group dynamics will be developed.

• Schedule a time Limit  This is a key component! How many of you have attended a study group with no agenda and no time limit? I bet you didn’t return. (smile)  It makes all the difference to know that the group has a set time. This allows you to know it’s a set time and when it’s time to end, it ends.

How to Use Study Groups

Reviewing & comparing lecture notes

Review textbook content

Test each other by asking questions

Brainstorm possible test questions

Practice teaching each other

Creates a support system