Study Group 101
Oct 14, 2009
Getting together as a group to study can be a very productive way to study. It can also be a great way socialize and procrastinate. So, before signing up for a study group, make sure that the group will actually be helping you study, not eating up valuable study time.
Here are 7 Tips to Create an Effective Study Group
- Don’t make the group too big, 4-6 students is ideal.
- Designate a moderator.
- Each member should be responsible for a particular topic or section.
- Study that section before meeting as a group. Identify key points or messages.
- Group member’s job is to summarize the key points and help the others in the group if they have problems with that topic .
- Have practice quizzes or tests. Each group member could prepare some quiz topics from the material that they are covering.
- Ask the teacher for any guidelines. It might be a long shot, but the teacher just might be willing to identify key topics that should be covered.
Why Study Groups Work
The power of study groups can be summed up in one word: paraphrasing.
Paraphrasing is a great tool for students to have at their disposal. Not only does it help students develop deeper understanding of a subject, it helps them avoid plagiarism, something that becomes very important as the years go by.
In Other Words
Paraphrasing simply means putting it in your own words. As students review the section that they are covering for the study group, they should practice paraphrasing; that is, putting it on their own words. After reading a page, students should ask themselves, “What does this mean?” and re-state the section in their own words. The phrase “in other words” is the study group student’s best friend.
How a study group helps:
- Gives students new perspectives on a topic
- Helps divvy-up the studying responsibilities
- Gives students a feeling of camaraderie
- Helps develop group work skills
- Helps with test preparation
- Can remove study-related stress
Comments(2)
Find this article online at: www.oxfordlearning.com/letstalk/2009/oct/14/study-group-101/
rafiq - Nov 25, 2009
what should i do when i cannot remember some facts after i read it???
Joe - Oxford Learning - Nov 27, 2009
Hi Rafiq,
You can try several things. Here are a few:
1. Rewrite the information in your own words (make notes on what you read). It doesn't have to be a report on it, just some notes.
2. Review. Re-read the notes you made in step one, the next day (24 hrs later). Review again in 3 to 7 days. Do one last review in a month.
If you have a notebook, the review part should be pretty easy. Today, just look back at your notes from a week ago. Spend a few minutes reviewing it. Then look back 1 month ago - spend another few minutes. Each you're only spending 10 minutes doing review. You'll be amazed at how much your memory will be improved.
The key is to move information from short-term memory to long-term memory. The regular reviews do that.
Good luck.
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