Study alone or in a group?

[rosielo]

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So how many of you, study on your own, in a group, or own and consult others when needed?

 

[Street Philosopher]

Studying by myself is the most convenient, but not the most efficient. It takes me a lot of effort to actually invest the time to go to the medical school and group study, but it ends up being worth it every time. I usually study on my own during the week and then group study at school when it gets closer to exam time.

 

[bivwack]

yea i usualy study by myself but there is definitly an advantage to studying w/ others , better retention

 

[Entei]

I've been studying on my own during the week and meeting with my anatomy group once during the weekends. I also have the annoying habit of yapping about school to anyone and everyone that I know who will listen. 😳

 

[KyGrlDr2B]

Studying with a group is definitely beneficial when you are taking labs. If you are identifying something wrong and you are alone, who is going to tell you?? Also, other people may have ways to remember things that will help you out. For other classes, both ways work. I prefer to study alone the majority of the time. I find that when studying in a group, I get stuck on what everyone else is stuck on and it isn't necessarily helpful to me.

My advice, try out both and see which one you like best. 🙂

 

[uclacrewdude]

I would study in groups more often, but tend not to for a few reasons:
1) I live on the opposite side of town from most who I go to school with
2) I'm type A and will tend to become the leader of the group, but I feel really guilty about it
3) I rationalize my thoughts about the facts, whether they're right or not, and I'm afraid that not only am I going to get the wrong answer, but I'll drag someone else down with me, as I can be pretty convincing.

 

[gwyn779]

I prefer to study in groups and it seems to work better, however most of my studying was done alone. It's easier to only worry about one person's schedule.

 

[sacrament]

I don't eat, walk, talk, party, hang out, get drunk, or have sex in groups, so I certainly wouldn't study with one.

 

[lola]

for now i've only been studying alone, but i'm hoping to get a group together once a week or so to go over questions that we all have. this one class we have right now is really poorly taught, and i think it would be beneficial to discuss some of the stuff. i think studying in groups definitely helps retention (if you're studying with the right people), but i tend not to be as productive as when i'm studying alone.

 

[buglady]

I usually like to remove myself entirely from the med school environment to be REALLY productive. I'm still in that stage, that if I'm studying at the med school library, I'm easily distracted by others around me (especially people who walk by the area where I study..I'm nosey). I've found a few nooks where undergrads haven't infiltrated yet....

I do think getting together with a group of fellow students is helpful, especially if there needs to be some clarification on a certain topic. Also, for the people who aren't having any difficulties, but are good at explaining it to others who need help is super beneficial. Just hashing it out seems to work for me....

 

[missMD]

Group studying is definetely beneficial. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind. One is that you don't want your group to be too large. two, you want to be with people who are going to stay on task and not waste too much time talking about other stuff. Three you have to be willing to be wrong and listen when others correct you. Four, you want to find a supportive group.
The first study group I was in was not too interested in explaining things to members who did not get things right away. It was a large group and seemed to a few of us that some of them were there more to show off what they know rather than teaching others and taking constructive criticism in the concepts that they are wrong in.

 

[Doc Ivy]

I would have to concur that studying in groups is best left to the days before an exam (at least for me).
I find study groups a huge waste of time if I don't at least some some kind of grasp on the material. So after I've done most of the learning myself, a study group is great to review, test yourself, round out your knowledge, and get random little facts that you tend to miss when you read over the same material over and over again, by yourself.

Although, I might change my story after the first exam....😉

 

[CofCP]

sacrament it's not good to get drunk by yourself dude

 

[redleft123]

Originally posted by sacrament
I don't ... have sex in groups ........

Another goal in life left unfulfilled! My loss.

Seriously, I studied by myself, and once a week met with a study group. Then, almost always grouped before the exams.

 

[Carbon]

There are two or three people in my class with whom I study very well, and we'll get together almost every day after class/lab in a small group room and study. Even if we're all just reading quietly, it's good to have people there who can answer questions (or even just talk them out).

Carbon 😍s her class! 😀

 

[akaretchie]

I'm putting my two cents in regards to studing in a group. Initially, I was against it because it tends to slow me down. However, I found that it was beneficial for it allowed everyone to give out shortcuts on how to memorize materials. I usually also study on my own during the weekdays and get into groups a few days before an exam!!! This routine has seem to work very well for me!!!🙂

 

[carrigallen]

Initially I was totally against group studying - in undergrad it was more like a group social which was fun but not productive.

In med school tho, I think if you group study with helpful but prepared people it can be really worthwhile. For example, many of the q's a study partner went over with me were on our recent exam, and I would not have done as well without their input.

I guess its probably possible to group-study with the wrong people...the type that do it as an *alternative* to studying and just expect you to brief them on how to pass the test...I've not met anyone like that yet tho.

It's kind of like finding a partner/friend to practice with in a sport - might be best if you both have similiar goals, schedule, and relatively similiar abilities.