Study groups don’t just happen. Here is what you should do to get a study group started:
- Get to know your classmates by talking with them before class, during breaks, and after class. When selecting a classmate to join your study group, you should be able to answer YES for each of the following questions:
- Is this classmate motivated to do well?
- Does this classmate understand the subject matter?
- Is this classmate dependable?
- Would this classmate be tolerant of the ideas of others?
- Would you like to work with this classmate?
- Invite enough of these classmates to work with you in a study group until you have formed a group of three to five. A larger group may allow some members to avoid responsibility, may lead to cliques, and may make group management more of an issue than learning.
- Decide how often and for how long you will meet. Meeting two or three times a week is probably best. If you plan a long study session, make sure you include time for breaks. A study session of about 60 to 90 minutes is usually best.
- Decide where you will meet. Select a meeting place that is available and is free from distractions. An empty classroom or a group study room in the library are possibilities.
- Decide on the goals of the study group. Goals can include comparing and updating notes, discussing readings, and preparing for exams.
- Decide who the leader will be for the first study session. Also decide whether it will be the same person each session or whether there will be a rotating leader. The leader of a study session should be responsible for meeting the goals of that study session.
- Clearly decide the agenda for the first study session and the responsibilities of each group member for that session.
- Develop a list of all group members that includes their names, telephone numbers, and email addresses. Make sure each group member has this list and update the list as needed.
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