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Study Groups

A study group does the following:

  1. Reinforces, clarifies, and deepens your learning by providing the opportunity to teach. (Research indicates that many students improve their grades by supplementing individual study with group study.)
  2. Provides feedback -- before the test -- on how well you are learning the material.
  3. Provides practical advice on which courses and professors to take or avoid.
  4. Prepares you for the working world, with its emphasis on teamwork. (You might indicate on your resume that you organized several study groups.)
  5. Provides a "support group." All students feel discouraged at times, but a study group can "refuel" your motivation and make studying more fun.
  6. Helps you overcome shyness about discussing issues in class.
  7. Helps you become motivated to study, because you know your study group is depending upon your preparation.

Getting Started

  1. Get to know your classmates by talking before class, during breaks, and after class. Determine which students are serious about their studies and have a personality that would mesh with your own.
  2. Invite 1 to 4 students to meet with you to study. If you are uncomfortable about this, ask the professor to send around a sign-up sheet or to announce that interested students should stay after class.
  3. An alternative way to find study partners is to study in a location where you are likely to see students from your class. Then, ask a classmate a question about the subject matter and begin chatting.
  4. To avoid a situation of "the blind leading the blind," make sure that at least some members of the group are knowledgeable about the field.
  5. Each person should study individually before the group meets.

Study Agenda

  1. Some groups begin their session by comparing lecture notes.
  2. Most groups use their lecture notes, a lecture handout, or a study guide written by the professor as an outline to guide the order of topics to discuss. If you are a student in the health sciences, an organ system review is often effective.
  3. IF YOU PREFER A FORMAL GROUP: At the end of each session write an agenda for the next session, with each group member assigned to prepare/present specific material. Volunteer to be the presenter in the area you find most difficult. Research this area thoroughly and become an expert. Develop five questions to ask the others.
  4. IF YOU PREFER INFORMALITY: Decide at the beginning of the session what topics you will study and how you will study. You might assign topics/single lectures to each other and then work independently for a time to come up with 5 to 10 questions on each topic or lecture.
  5. Create and Xerox summary sheets and charts to share.
  6. Have each member write a practice test and give these tests to each other.
  7. List your group's remaining areas of confusion and go to the professor or T.A. for clarification.

Where to Meet with Your Study Group

  1. Only study in a public area like a cafeteria if the group members are able to keep focused.
  2. Do find a place with comfortable chairs. Also, you may want a room with a blackboard.
  3. Try one of the following locations: an empty classroom, a group study room in the library, a lounge area, a "help center" within a particular department, a dorm room, a cafeteria. Locations which have group study rooms: Main Library -- call 996-5570 one day in advance to reserve. Health Sciences Library -- no reservations. There are 4 study rooms in the basement and 5 on the second floor. Academic Center for Excellence (in S.S.B.) -- call 413-0032 to reserve a place.

Pitfalls & Problems

  1. . If your group begins to deteriorate into merely a social group, use a strict agenda and a strong convener. Or, simply ask, "Will that be on the test?" when group members get off track. Many groups report that most of their time wasting occurs during late night sessions. Decide ahead of time when you will stop studying for the evening. Also, to stay focused, schedule regular breaks.
  2. Don't allow group members to attend unprepared. To keep members who are failing to do their fair share is to enable and encourage irresponsibility. Remember, you are not providing free tutoring.
  3. Don't allow lengthy complaints about courses or professors during group time; do this afterwards if you must.
  4. Encourage members to reveal their weaknesses so that they can strengthen them. This will only happen if members refrain from critical comments about one another.

Comments from Student

"Procrastination has always been a problem for me, but studying with other students keeps me motivated and keeps me excited about nursing. Telling another student I'll meet her at noon to study ensures that I'll actually get there. If I were going to study alone, I'd procrastinate." UIC Nursing Student

"My study group meets every day in the Science Learning Center in SES. We don't prepare any special topics; we just individually do our calculations for the problems and consult each other when we have problems. Also, a T.A. is in the room if we really become confused. Before tests, we reserve a room in the library for a long study session." UIC Sophomore in LAS

"In one of my study groups we decided to have a rotating leader so that the same people wouldn't be doing all of the talking. The leader would call on a particular student with a question, and after that student answered, the others would add comments. Study groups have really helped strengthen my motivation. I don't want to be the only one in the group to get a C on the test!" UIC Public Administration Student

"I've participated in many study groups and they have made my education much more enjoyable. In fact, when I find a good group, we try to register for the same courses and sections the following term. Everyone feels like quitting at times, but if you have a study group, they support you and encourage you to "hang in there." Also, talking about a particular topic increases the concentration level, and often while I'm taking a test I'll remember discussing a particular question in my study group." UIC Graduate Student in Pharmacy

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