After graduating, you’re expected to work and communicate effectively in teams. Most college classes assign at least one group project each semester. Group work can be a lot of fun and, as the saying goes, “many hands make light work”. However, working with different personalities and learning styles can also be challenging if you do not have a clear plan in place. This is especially true if the other members of your group live in noisy on-campus dorms. It can be a smart idea to invite your group to your apartment so you can all work productively. When studying with a group, you should keep the following tips in mind:
Prepare a snack. Have some light munchies ready when people arrive, such as cheese and crackers or apple slices. Growling stomachs and low blood sugar can result in an unproductive study session.
Assign specific roles for each member. By taking a moment to designate a timekeeper, note taker and task manager, each group member will be responsible for a specific task to ensure that the group study session runs smoothly.
Set clear expectations for your group study session. Know exactly why you’re meeting and what you plan to accomplish by the time you leave. As the session winds down, or during any lull in productivity, check back in with the goals you set at the beginning of the group study session.
Develop a realistic timeline. Juggling multiple schedules is challenging. Consider using a tool, such as Doodle to find the best time when everyone from your group can meet. Then, set a defined length of time for each group study session. Be mindful of your peers’ schedules and stick to your timeline.
With a little bit of planning and organization, group work can not only go smoothly and result in a good grade, but it can also be fun!
Do you have any other great group study session tips? If so, share them with us in the comment section below!
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Doodle is such a lifesaver! Especially during crunch time. I’ve had a lot of good luck with group projects, but I know some of my roommates have gotten stuck with some really difficult people who are almost impossible to keep track of. 🙁
[…] all, and that means you’re going to need some quiet time to study. Unless you agree that all studying will be done outside the apartment, having some set quiet hours will help everyone out. Quiet hours […]