Q&A for How to Form a Study Group

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  • Question
    What are the disadvantages of studying in a group?
    Bryce Warwick, JD
    Test Prep Tutor, Warwick Strategies
    Bryce Warwick is currently the President of Warwick Strategies, an organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area offering premium, personalized private tutoring for the GMAT, LSAT and GRE. Bryce has a JD from the George Washington University Law School.
    Test Prep Tutor, Warwick Strategies
    Expert Answer
    If you aren't all at the same skill level, you may rely on one person to do most of the work and less experienced people may feel left behind.
  • Question
    Do the group members have to be your friends?
    Community Answer
    It is a great idea to have your friends in group studying sessions, but make sure you do not get off topic and start chatting. However, it is not necessary that the group members are your friends, they could simply be others in the class that also want to study in groups.
  • Question
    Do I have to be better than everyone else at the subject I am studying to form a study group?
    Community Answer
    No. The goal is to study together and help each other, not only one helping all the others. You can even be bad at the subject -- as long as the initiative is there, it's okay.
  • Question
    How can I know that we are asking the right questions to each other?
    Community Answer
    If possible, refer to the assignment or the teacher's instructions. If it's a project you're working on, there should be specific guidelines. If you're preparing for a test, go over the lecture notes, the syllabus, old assignments, and any guides the teacher might have given you to determine what seems important and is likely to be on the test.
  • Question
    What if my friends are not interested in making a study group?
    Community Answer
    Reach out to some other people. Your study group doesn't have to consist of only friends. You might even make some new friends out of it. Just ask around, I'm sure you'll find some people that are interested.
  • Question
    How do we make sure that the study group remains focused on studying and doesn't get distracted?
    Community Answer
    Set a timer for studying and then have scheduled breaks. This really helps, as you can get work done but it's not restrictive so you aren't tempted to distract each other. The break portion is really good for discussing mistakes or troubles anyone may have come across.
  • Question
    Would it work if I had a study group that anyone can come to, a group that had about 20 people?
    Community Answer
    Of course! Just make sure that you all stay on topic and not get carried away by other things.
  • Question
    How regularly should we meet?
    Community Answer
    It depends how taxing the course is. I would suggest that you meet once a week for review and then a few days before an important deadline.
  • Question
    What if the parents don't allow us to meet up at anyone's home when forming a study group?
    Community Answer
    Your school may have room available; if not, your local library probably has conference rooms that can be reserved.
  • Question
    How do I tell someone i don't want them to be part of my study group without sounding mean or rude?
    reneisha
    Community Answer
    Talk to them privately and then tell them why you don't want them in your group, politely. They might understand that their behavior isn't appropriate and perhaps suggest to them they need to improve if they want to participate (e.g by not being disruptive, by taking it seriously, etc.).
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