What they are
Where a class or lecture has one knowledgeable person that is transmitting information to a group of people who do not have it, a study group is made up of peers who are all working to process and internalize the information from the same perspective. They are often formed by students in the same class, with the intention of shoring up each others’ notes and understandings through communication and shared study time.
How to use them
Pick good people
When choosing people to study with, consider things like possible language barriers, availability, and commitment to getting a good grade/learning the material well. It’s also worth trying to recruit a diverse set of individuals to get more perspectives on the material, and on learning methods. Limit the total number of people in the group so that you can easily schedule study sessions and stay focused, ideally 3-5 people.
Show up prepared
Be familiar with the material. Have your expanded notes ready. Bring books and handouts and class study guides. Know where the session is and how long it will last. Bring your study materials. Avoid bringing distractions like music or games. Remember that these people are agreeing to spend this time with you so that you all gain understanding. Be respectful of their time by being ready to put in the effort.
Stay focused on the topic
Keep discussions within the topic being studied. Gently remind people if needed. Don’t be afraid of some diffuse concept chaining, but avoid derailing discussions by pursuing rabbit holes in unrelated areas of study. It’s often helpful to have a group leader who can set a study agenda for the session.
Use this study guide
All of the study recommendations in this guide (other than study groups) are intended to be useful to an individual studying on their own. However, most of these suggestions and techniques can be applied just as well in a group setting. For example, you’ve got study group members sitting idly by, ripe to be pounced upon for some Feynman practice. Or you can schedule your study sessions in a dedicated study spot in a library, free of distractions and consistent, so that group members automatically fall into that studying mindset when they enter the space. If you’re the group leader for a session, utilize the QFT at the end of the session to prepare your group for the upcoming lecture.
When to apply them
Study sessions are a great way to stay motivated and get diverse perspectives on material. They can greatly aid understanding, and can be super useful to exchange notes if you miss a lecture. Studies show that being involved in a study group can significantly improve one’s chances of academic success. As long as you pick a good group and use it well, study groups can be an asset in any class you take alongside others.
However, beware of group members who only take. If they show up late, unprepared, cause distractions etc, be quick to point that out (as politely as possible). If you spend your entire study session tutoring one member who is never prepared, that is time you aren’t spending on the parts of the material that you struggle with. If you can’t salvage a group member, consider asking them not to come back, or joining a new group yourself.
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