|
Studying in groups proves effective, fun
By Brian Styrwoll/Contributing Writer
Finals week has nearly arrived, and by the glassy-eyed expressions around campus, it can only mean one thing: this is the time of year when the Miller Learning Resources Center becomes the most popular place to spend a Thursday night and Red Bull becomes the beverage of choice.
Students all across campus are putting in long hours in hopes that one rigorous week can make up for an entire semester’s worth of slacking. But in this high-stress period, many efficiency-minded students are opting not to go it alone.
An old wise man once said “too many cooks spoils the broth,” but many students are finding that this is not the case when it comes to pulling off their last minute study sessions. Of course, the old saying transformed to SCSU standards means study groups, a staple in the arsenal of any achievement-minded pupil.
Whereas some students may feel that the lone wolf approach gives them more independence to go over material at their own pace, others make use of having another set of notes and ideas to provide a basis for comparison against their own.
A second set of eyes with which to look at the world is a major plus when working with a study group, but there are many more benefits. These include learning new study habits from peers, making the material more personally relevant and also making the subject matter more intellectually engaging and stimulating.
In fact, according to a pamphlet published by the University of Massachusetts, entitled “A Study Group Guide for Students,” studying in a group may be a more effective way to learn and retain information than through lecture and note-taking.
“It is believed that students learn by doing,” the pamphlet states, “as opposed to being spoon-fed knowledge in lecture, study groups encourage students to go above and beyond what is being taught and to develop their own understanding of subject material. The goal of study group learning is to help students take ownership of course material; to learn to learn.”
Aside from the academic benefits, study groups can also provide students with the opportunity to meet people with similar academic interests.
This social aspect of study groups can be a major factor in the overall enjoyment of the college experience. Working with a group of friends can make studying even the driest course material less tedious.
Even the pamphlet states that “there is no reason why you can’t have a study group meeting at a pub once in a while.”
So this finals week, whether students choose to go it alone or to gather with five or six of their closest friends for a late night trip to the Miller Center, they need to remember that utilizing just a few of their 15,000 fellow students can increase the chance of success, as well as enrich the overall college experience.
|
|
|
|
Privacy Policy Network Advertising Article Syndication
|
|
