The truth in the statement two heads are better than one holds substantial truths, especially in academics. The academic process can be tedious, and having a group to walk through the process with and encourage you in your tough, endearing days is vital for a student. Study groups keep students on their toes and offer them a forum to ask questions for better understanding and provide motivation in cultivating a reading culture.
Choosing a suitable study group can be as hefty as choosing a spouse, and students must check for categorical qualities that will ensure their academic growth and development. This article sheds more knowledge on study groups, the strategies for choosing and creating a study group, and ways to ensure its success.
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Are study groups effective?
Research proves that study groups are highly effective for students. It is inevitable for students to seek their peers when they fail to understand various topics in their classwork before following up with their lecturers. Students find comfort in other students, and having fellow students to help them understand a challenging topic is less formidable.
Study groups are highly effective since they have motivated many students to major in their academics and have a steady momentum. It also provides a safe growing space that motivates students to read since it is easier to study in a group than individually.
Benefits of study groups.
In academic institutions, students form study groups before the lecturers’ guidance due to the study groups’ efficiency. This is because of the high impact that study groups have on students’ academic life. The following are some of the benefits of study groups.
1. Sharing of knowledge.
Conversing with people has a lot of advantages. A small notion in your mind may be amplified through conversing with other people, and in most cases, our brains enter into a state of fascination with different dynamics you may not have thought of. Picking someone’s brain may lead to incredible revelations and newly found perspectives.
Through study groups, students share various perspectives and understanding of topics taught in class. Effective collaboration in brainstorming allows for sharing new ideas and creates more understanding of sketchy and foggy topics that students struggle with.
2. Motivation.
Study space in the comfort of your room is one of the best decisions a student can make for their study time. Personalizing the study space can also allow students to create a personal touch that would motivate them to pull through their scheduled study time. However, motivation generated from study spaces does not come close compared to the motivation and momentum created through study groups.
Having several students in a study group allows for accountability in the study process. In cases where the study process becomes tiring and boring, study groups can help suck in the fun and create an engrossing atmosphere that motivates students to get their work done. Having designed roles within the group also increases the activeness of the members, ensuring timely delivery of the assigned roles.
3. Increased clarity on challenging topics.
Studying alone can, at times, be frustrating and detrimental to students. Various topics can be challenging to the students, and lacking fellow students to help you dissect and understand the topic can be saddening and reduce the morale and performance of students. Each student has a unique understanding of various topics, and having a pool of thought can help the students.
Study groups provide a forum for students to probe others on challenging topics and gain clarity on various topics. It also allows students to refine their skills and understanding capability in topics they considered weak at.
4. Reducing procrastination.
Procrastination is one of the most significant problems among students that reduce their performance and output. A lack of motivation, a negative attitude, and limited information and understanding usually cause procrastination. Through a study group, students can combat procrastination and thus help improve their overall performance.
Study groups are significant in ensuring accountability among the students. Being depended on by a group of people will push the students to perform the work on the set timelines since a lag on their end would affect a significantly larger group. Study groups, therefore, motivate students to take their work more seriously.
Strategies of forming a study group.
Students must form a study group since effort and commitment directly affect their performance, sense of home, and comfort. Due to experiences with bad study groups, only 20% of students prefer studying in groups, compared to 50% who prefer studying alone.
The following are strategies that students should employ in selecting a study group.
1. Establish guidelines and operations of the study group.
Behind every successful mission is a well-thought-out plan that merits the triumph. Research proves that study groups are highly effective in promoting a study culture. The efficiency of the study group is tied down to the guidelines governing the group.
A proper study group should have a manageable number of students, and most academics recommend a group of between 3-6 members for manageability and ease of operation. Students should be assessed for their commitment and alignment of goals to the group. Group members should also select a group leader to allow streamlining of activities and operations. The selected members must be committed to the group and aligned with the group’s goals.
The study group should also include other guidelines on the time and location for the group study sessions, the group’s and its members’ expectations, study group goals, and repercussions for failure to meet set rules and guidelines such as timekeeping and diligence in submitting work. Such guidelines guide students on how to study in a group.
2. Participation and engagement – Assigning roles to the members.
As mentioned, study groups promote accountability among the group and increase the output of individual performance. Assigning roles to the members allows for productive study sessions by creating order. Various students can be assigned to handle matters about time planning and the location of group sessions. Others can help formulate a strategy for group sessions and develop agendas for each meeting. For participation and engagement, each student should be assigned a topic to present and research to allow for effective learning outcomes.
3. Identify different capabilities of the students and how to utilize them.
Students may come from the same academic fountain, but each has a different product in terms of quality and volume. Each student is gifted differently, and it is vital to assess these group dynamics while forming a study group. Based on the interactions in class and outside the classroom, students can easily identify the strengths and weaknesses of their peers.
Various students are more gifted in sciences while others are more inclined to languages and maths. Based on different academic capabilities, students can help each other with homework troubles. Moreover, math experts on ThePensters help reduce students’ panic and improve their problem-solving techniques on challenging topics.
4. Shared goals for learning.
Every group usually has a mutual interest that allows them to couple together and work towards their goal. Expectedly, study groups are mutually interested in providing a forum for students to commune with their fellows for academic success. However, students must ensure that the study group is inclined based on their goals.
Some study groups may solely aim to cultivate morale and interest in learning. Others may be more inclined to social interactions compared to academics. Students must assess their interests and ensure they align with the group’s goals to warrant success.
Other tips for success
To stand the strength of time, study groups must also have various rules and steps that the team members must follow to allow for the success of the study group.
1. Show up prepared.
Study groups are essential since they allow members to brainstorm ideas and share information based on their understanding. However, pouring from an empty cup is impossible, and study group members must come prepared for study sessions. Have a prior assessment of topics on the agenda and possible questions and clarifications.
2. Take turns in your group work approach.
It is important to cancel out monotony when cultivating motivation. Grup sessions can involve a switch-up in activities and operations. For example, one study session can be set aside for tackling challenging topics and another for handling assignments. Through role assigning, various students can be mandated to take the members through different topics to ensure active participation and engagement.
3. Keep a record of group sessions.
Record keeping can allow students to develop a reference system that can be advantageous in individual study sessions. Records can help students remember previous sessions’ discussions and improve their understanding.
Conclusion
Study groups have a tremendous impact on students and help in improving their academic performance. The recipe for selecting an impactful is out, and through the listed steps, students can improve their academic morale and look forward to the previously considered dreadful experience.
