I think most people can agree that studying in a group is always more fun, but can oftentimes be unproductive. When done right, study groups can be a powerful way to learn and build relationships. Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your study groups.

Put in the work beforehand

It’s important to invest time in studying all of the material before meeting with a group. This way you can figure out your weak points and come up with questions to work through with the group. On the flip side, knowing your strengths will be very beneficial to the group if someone else has a problem in that area. The point is study groups are for filling in the gaps, not for learning all of the material from scratch.

Study with a diverse group

You can get something beneficial from people with varying levels of knowledge. Studying with people who are struggling more than you creates an opportunity to teach, and teaching is the best way to solidify your knowledge. At the same time, studying with people who have more knowledge than you can help you learn what you don’t know.

Go with the intent of learning

Oftentimes, we prefer to study with our friends. While this takes away the boring burden of studying solo, working with friends can quickly turn into a hangout. When in a study group, try to avoid distractions and get the studying done. The sooner you finish studying, the more time you will have to catch up later.

If you don’t have a group to study with, you could check out Study With McFerrin at Startup Aggieland!

Want to find tutoring options to enhance your academic performance?

Texas A&M University’s Academic Success Center offers Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions in various topics that are peer-led. These sessions are an academic assistance program that can significantly improve performance for students who attend regularly.

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