study groups vs. individual study

[air bud]

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just wanted some current students to weigh in on the usefullness of study groups in pod school. I hated them in undergrad and had no problem motivating myself to study. i always thought they were a waste of time. anybody out there who didnt like them in undergrad but found them useful in pod school?

 

[UW66]

Hey Bud,

Same boat as you. hated them in undergrad, learned better on my own, and if i had questions went to the proff or asked around. Same has been true for written exam material in pod school so far.

I will tell ya that when it comes time for gross anatomy and lower anatomy lab exams forming a coalition with two or three other MOTIVATED NON-******ED people from different tanks is a great way to compare structures, see variations, see and talk about different ways items might be tagged, compare knowledge on diagnostic features, and quizzing each other.

ya really gotta find the like-minded individuals to make it happen with though, befriending someone who ya like personally, whos nice and sweet and all that is great, but if they arent contributing, that does ya no good, and really just slows ya down. harsh, but time=dinero.

 

[G0dFather]

Hey Bud,

Same boat as you. hated them in undergrad, learned better on my own, and if i had questions went to the proff or asked around. Same has been true for written exam material in pod school so far.

I will tell ya that when it comes time for gross anatomy and lower anatomy lab exams forming a coalition with two or three other MOTIVATED NON-******ED people from different tanks is a great way to compare structures, see variations, see and talk about different ways items might be tagged, compare knowledge on diagnostic features, and quizzing each other.

ya really gotta find the like-minded individuals to make it happen with though, befriending someone who ya like personally, whos nice and sweet and all that is great, but if they arent contributing, that does ya no good, and really just slows ya down. harsh, but time=dinero.

Excellent post ...Now thats what im talking about!

 

[Feli]

I'd say stick with what worked for you so far (undergrad, grad school, etc).

In pod school, I usually studied mostly on my own until I'd been through the text/notes at least once. After that, some small group sessions to fire questions around and discuss the topics that might be on the exam can show you stuff you might have otherwise missed or been unclear about.

 

[spo01]

Same. I agree with the above poster that a small group of individuals for anatomy lab is essential (atleast for me). You will find cliques forming in open labs which is annoying, but find your niche. I find study groups involving multiple people at a library nothing more than mindless circle jerks with too much chit chatter. A rapid fire 'ping pong' approach with one other person is pretty beneficial a few days before the test once you both know the material....but if there is more than 2 people I am automatically out.

I almost always studied alone in my apartment and finished my first year strong. However, I did have my own 'group' of 3 buddies though while studying. We all studied in our own apartments but we were always logged onto AIM. We would constantly send each other messages that had tips, questions, mnemonics, updates, anything and everything and I found this to be incredibly useful.

 

[MaseratiGT]

Hey Bud,

Same boat as you. hated them in undergrad, learned better on my own, and if i had questions went to the proff or asked around. Same has been true for written exam material in pod school so far.

I will tell ya that when it comes time for gross anatomy and lower anatomy lab exams forming a coalition with two or three other MOTIVATED NON-******ED people from different tanks is a great way to compare structures, see variations, see and talk about different ways items might be tagged, compare knowledge on diagnostic features, and quizzing each other.

ya really gotta find the like-minded individuals to make it happen with though, befriending someone who ya like personally, whos nice and sweet and all that is great, but if they arent contributing, that does ya no good, and really just slows ya down. harsh, but time=dinero.

just wanted some current students to weigh in on the usefullness of study groups in pod school. I hated them in undergrad and had no problem motivating myself to study. i always thought they were a waste of time. anybody out there who didnt like them in undergrad but found them useful in pod school?

Agreed. I did not use study groups in my undergraduate, but I did during general anatomy.

I don't know how other schools teach, but at Temple, we get sets of objectives that help to focus your attention on a particular area. They are usually specific questions. Our group would split the objectives, type them all up, compile them, and then use them as study guides. We would all put in a few hours each week, but we got it done.

Like UW66 said, you have to make sure that those in your group are pulling their own weight. You'll find out who's serious, but if you get with someone who isn't, you've got to let them know.

 

[handoverfist77]

I always study on my own first. Then when the test is approaching, maybe like a day or 2 before, I quiz with friends.