By now I’m sure most of us have seen Legally Blonde where Elle Woods tried to join a study group and was terribly rejected. Although this has not been my experience, I have heard differing opinions on the efficiency of study groups. Some say study groups are helpful while others see it as an opportunity to hang out with friends. Unfortunately, I didn’t join a study group during fall semester, but my friends and I have decided to create one this semester. I have always been an independent student and never enjoyed study groups in undergrad. My focus was always on the study methods that worked for me as an individual that I couldn’t appreciate how helpful study groups can be. After a semester’s worth of experience, I picked up on two things: 1) study in the way that works for you, whether or not you use study groups, and 2) if you do use study groups, do not treat it as a time to socialize.
During finals, I studied on my own for the most part. My friends and I leaned in on each other for moral support and to bounce off ideas, but we never actually sat down to study as a group. With that being said, if you decide study groups are not for you, do not fear that you are missing out on anything by studying alone. I’m sure you have heard this a million times by now, but what works for you may not work for others and vice versa. However, it is important to create connections with your peers that you feel most comfortable with. Those are the peers, or friends, that you will feel at ease with when asking questions and collaborating.