Study groups: why are they necessary, how can you set one up?

Have you attended multiple study groups? Any student can attest that meeting with classmates to work on projects or prepare presentations has become a regular part of life. But building a dedicated team with frequent meetings to maximize learning is an entirely different matter.

Study groups provide opportunities for intellectual, academic, and social growth.

The main purpose of extracurricular meetings is the exchange of information, the exchange of ideas and the synthesis of skills. Want to learn more about this topic and learn how to start your own study group?

What is the significance of a group of studies?

A study group is a great way to combat procrastination and the solo-studying method. A more engaging way to stay current with the content of the lectures is the initiative to gather the classmates for an after-hours reinforcement of learning.

In addition, the study group is the perfect forum for discussing disagreements and opposing viewpoints on the topics being discussed in class. All of this exchange enables greater assimilation and comprehension of the content.

Another benefit of forming a group to study outside an academic setting is motivation; that is, the commitment made to other people serves as an additional incentive to maintain discipline.

How can you build a strong study group?

If you have yet to join any study groups at your university, pioneer this method of learning and create your own team. But it’s not enough to get together with your friends and combine odd hours to study on test days. It requires much more planning and commitment from everyone. Know what has to be taken into account!

Reduce the number of participants.

Take care with the number of people you intend to gather. Many participants may result in a disorganized group with parallel conversations and a higher likelihood of arguments and differences in opinion.

The ideal group size is between three and five members. As a result, it is easier to focus, everyone takes part, and nobody runs the risk of appearing timid in front of the others. In addition, as you are used to with this partnership, you may join forces to work on academic projects and speak at conferences.

Another tip is to divide the group into two distinct teams and review the meetings if a larger number of people are interested in participating in your study group.

Define a meeting place for people

When forming the group, it’s crucial to provide the location where meetings will be held.

The best scenario is for this decision to be made by consensus while taking each person’s accessibility into account. It may take place at one of the members’ homes, the local library, their own educational facility, or any other location that allows for everyone’s attendance.

Set specific dates for the meetings.

The group should be treated seriously by the participants, not as an occasional commitment. As a result, you must set certain days and times, at least once a week, in order to maintain a study schedule and the regularity of meetings. To avoid harming the team’s progress, it is also advised to manage the frequency.

Encourage arguments

We have already been at the stage of decorating content for a long time, isn’t that right?

It takes more than having verbal responses to deepen understanding; it also requires reflection, critical analysis, taking into account hypotheses, and having the flexibility to change one’s mind.

The need for arguments stems from this. They awaken various positions and encourage analytical thinking. So, in order to enrich the discussions in your study group, introduce challenging topics and encourage debates.

It is obvious that these discussions should be conducted in a healthy and constructive manner, with tolerance and consideration for other people’s opinions.