Acquiring knowledge has become a lot easier these days. This can be seen through the availability of print and online sources allowing students to research on a certain topic without even going to or spending minimal time in libraries. However, accessibility of knowledge is one thing while understanding and retaining knowledge is another story. While studying alone allows these, studying with a group can be another conducive learning experience.
Here are some of the benefits of studying in groups:
It allows knowledge-sharing.
Your friends are around you for a lot of reasons. They give you a good laugh, listen to your problems, share with you their food (these are keepers), but most important of all, they can give you a new perspective. Your friends process information differently which will allow you to widen your previous perception of the subject matter. Thus, group studying becomes a two-way exchange of sharing your knowledge and with your peers sharing theirs.
It gives you a support system.
Group study sessions may consist of your close friends, acquaintances or friends of friends. When school workload and pressure become too heavy, it’s always great to know that you’re not alone. Having fun while studying is important to appreciate what you’re learning but make sure that you and your friends are taking it seriously as well.
It pushes you to avoid procrastination.
Many students are victims of this habit, especially when the subject to be studied is deemed as hard or boring. What was previously spent on surfing the internet for hours, playing video games or social media, can be used to review lessons and prepare for upcoming tests by having group study sessions on a regular basis.
It allows more subjects to be covered.
No more cramming! As state by the Montclair University in New Jersey, studying in a group allows a student to learn faster thus allowing more study materials to be covered and gaps to be filled. Instead of mulling over the difficulty of the subject, simply asking your peers and getting into a discussion can increase your understanding and info retention.
You gain new learning methods.
While learning a particular subject matter with your peers, you will be surprised to discover how some of them might be doing other methods of retaining information they just learned. You can incorporate these methods into your own and maybe it will set the mood for a fun learning experience.
It prepares you for the Real World.
Thinking about the future can be fun or frightening. Either way, no one can avoid it. Students face the fear of getting into careers after completing their education but according to Delaware Valley University, study groups help improve on a student’s social and communication skills. An environment where diverse personalities come together and form a dynamic to work efficiently is very similar to a workplace.
Of course, in order to maximize group studying, it’s always best to come prepared with study materials, snacks and willing friends.
So get those brains ready, find a nice place and start learning!
Bibliography
“Benefits of Study Groups.” Delaware Valley University. September 10, 2015. http://www.delval.edu/blog/study-group-benefits
“Study Group Tips and Advantages.” Montclair University. https://www.montclair.edu/media/montclairedu/residentialeducation/pdffiles/Study-Group-Tips-and-Advantages-1.pdf