Making study groups work

Study Groups or work groups are usually something students dread.

Knowing that you HAVE TO join a group and work as a team in order to submit a hospitality or culinary assignment can make you feel sweaty and nauseous before you've begun to look for a group to join.

And that's because you know what's coming - a first class slacker; a whiner; a clown...you're worried about how this group is going to turn out and who's going to have to do all the work to get that good mark. Study groups do's and don'ts

These are a great guide to getting everyone to do their bit so you don't end up doing all the work yourself:

First of all, study or work groups should be small. In other words 2- 5 members are enough. Don't form a group based on your mates - unless they are known for brilliant exam results, are highly intelligent and they show commitment. Study where there are no distractions and don't study more than 2 to 3 hours per study session Try and study at the same place and same time every session - it will feel more like another ‘class' and less like you're having to study. Set rules at the start - such as a timetable, what everyone expects to achieve, what will happen to slackers, who does what and when etc. Decide how much time you're going to spend on each session and discuss what you are going to complete in each session before you start. Then stick to it. Set homework / tasks for group members to achieve before you all meet. Half the work is done before you even get together. Communicate and ask questions about things that worry you like, ‘is this going off topic do you think?' or ‘I think I misunderstood your idea - can you repeat it?' Stay on topic and keep focused. Assign someone in the group at each session to keep the group on track. And listen to them - that's their assigned job, it's not because they are trying to be important.

study group rules

Create questions to ask each other to see if you understand what's going on, what the answers are etc. Make sure you all understand so that when you submit your assignment or test, you are all going to do well. The easiest way to do this is to create a set of ‘test' questions, and test each other at the end of the study period. If there's something that someone doesn't understand or areas where the answers are a little foggy, go over that section until everyone gets it. Aside from testing, you can also TEACH each other. Research shows that you are more likely to retain the information you've worked on if you say it out loud - what better way than to teach your friends. It also forces you to be credible with your work because you can't teach your friends incorrect information, right? It must be accurate and relevant. Create of a list of problems or grey areas - make sure that at the end of each study session you have written up a list of problem areas, concerns, things you or the team don't understand etc. Then, assign everyone just one of these problem areas to research before the next meeting so that you come prepared and you are half way to resolving the issues before you kick off you next session.

Study and work groups are not only limited to assignments - study groups are perfect for staying on top of your work every term. If you have a group that are committed to 1) creating fun ways to remember notes

2) easy methods for understanding difficult topics and

3) great ways to digest revision notes, then you're on your way to academic success. The trick is not to get distracted.

So if you have an opportunity to get involved with a study group, we think it's a great idea to join.

If you really do have a slacker or two in your group and it's a struggle for the rest of the group members, talk to your lecturer and get advice.

If everyone tows the line, you should all do really well.

Remember groups aren't forever, so give it your all for the short time you are forced to study together - you never know, you could make new friends and actually have a really good time!