12 How to Be a Successful Studentof your study time, but it is important to note that the hu-
man brain cannot truly multitask. It is essential that you
remove as many distractions as possible during your study
time. Turning off your electronics, closing down email
and social media, and having a quiet space will greatly in-
crease your ability to commit new information to memory.
Making the grade by Making Friends
Group study can be a wonderful way to divide and con-
quer coursework and prepare for exams. It can also make
the class much more enjoyable when you have a strong
network of peers to consort with. However, group work
can also be detrimental to your success if you don’t have
the right people doing the appropriate things for the
benefit of everyone in the group.
Find your group. Ideally, a study group should be three
to four students and no more than five. Remember, a
study group is a learning tool, not a social function. At the
start of the term, choose your group members based on
their dedication to succeeding in the class. When you have
found students who are committed to creating a produc-
tive study group, decide on a few key parameters, such as:
• When and how long the meetings will last. Study
groups should meet at least once a week to stay cur-
rent with the coursework.
• Each member must make a solid commitment to at-
tend each session and show up prepared. It is also a
good idea at the beginning to set consequences for
members who show up unprepared or who only take
and do not give in the study group.
• Select a group leader. This person will be responsible
for keeping the group on task during sessions and
coordinating meeting logistics.
• Everyone should exchange contact information and
create an agreeable meeting time and place. The lo-
cation should be free from distractions and should
allow all members to feel safe and comfortable.
Prepare for a successful group study session.
Everyone’s time is valuable, and coordinating multiple
schedules can be challenging. Make the most out of the
time you have together as a group by being prepared and
using these tips:
• As a group, decide what assignments or material
review to focus on in the upcoming meeting. This
- how can you improve your studies through
technology? - What are some ways that you can improve your
time management skills? - Why is it important to limit distractions during
studying, even if you think you study better
with them? - What elements specific to your learning style
should you include in your personal study
plan?
could simply be the previous week’s lecture concepts
or preparing for an upcoming exam.
• Divide the preparation work equally among all
members.
• Focus on deciphering key concepts and mastering
the material. Have each member write down the top
five concepts from each lecture and compare.
• The best way to learn a subject is to teach it to others.
For example, each group member could take a sec-
tion from the previous week’s chapter and prepare a
mini-lecture to be presented at the next meeting.Engage in active group study. Once you’ve found
a great group of fellow students and everyone has been
assigned their parts, it’s time to meet in person. Follow
these tips to make your time together a success:
• At the start of each session, set and write down spe-
cific goals and check them off as they’re achieved.
• Make a commitment to create a cell-phone-free zone
during group study time.
• Talk! Work out problems by conversing with group
members. Brainstorm and don’t be afraid to be wrong.
• Save 10 minutes at the end to review what was cov-
ered in that session. Have each group member create
at least one exam-style question based on the session
and take turns answering each other’s questions.
• Don’t be afraid to ask members who are distract-
ing or do not contribute to leave the group. By set-
ting guidelines in the beginning, this can usually be
avoided. Remember, although you may make lasting
friendships with your study group, learning must al-
ways come first during your dedicated sessions.