What's the point of having a study buddy?

[gladlyfocused]

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This is a genuine question. I've always been the type to study alone, I never liked the idea of studying with someone else. Although I was invited a couple of times to group studies with friends in college, I never went.

I've thought that maybe if one has a question they ask the other...but there's always a tutor for that, a much more reliable source. I've studied alone because I felt that I was more focused and became more efficient at studying a greater amount of material.

So really...whats the benefit here that I'm not seeing?

 

[lNVlNClBLE]

This is a genuine question. I've always been the type to study alone, I never liked the idea of studying with someone else. Although I was invited a couple of times to group studies with friends in college, I never went.

I've thought that maybe if one has a question they ask the other...but there's always a tutor for that, a much more reliable source. I've studied alone because I felt that I was more focused and became more efficient at studying a greater amount of material.

So really...whats the benefit here that I'm not seeing?

I usually feel the same. However, I do like studying with others because when they ask questions, I see if I can answer it confidently. It helps me realize how much I really do/don't know.

 

[IslandStyle808]

This is a genuine question. I've always been the type to study alone, I never liked the idea of studying with someone else. Although I was invited a couple of times to group studies with friends in college, I never went.

I've thought that maybe if one has a question they ask the other...but there's always a tutor for that, a much more reliable source. I've studied alone because I felt that I was more focused and became more efficient at studying a greater amount of material.

So really...whats the benefit here that I'm not seeing?

What it really comes down to is the type of people you study with and how you use that time. If they are the type that want to do well, like A+ well, then it is good to study with them (that is if you are getting at least a B, otherwise that study partner will overwhelm you). If they come to the study session, not studying pre-hand, then it will definitely be unproductive. However, if they study pre-hand and come in with tons of questions and you do the same, it will help tremendously. Part of it is because sometimes it is easier to get the answer from a person vs. a book. Also even if you or your partner doesn't know the answer to the question, it gives you another perspective to the topic. It adds another dimension to what you need to learn.

I have spoken to medical students about this and a good number of them study in groups. If done correctly, it is extremely helpful. For example, what you may know from studying by yourself, you may not be able to explain to another person that well. However, when you work with a group, you are able to explain concepts in ways you never could by yourself. This is because you are talking and exchange ideas verbal between people. The only way to truly realize this is to study in a group. Not saying you need to but just trying to explain the benefits.

 

[gladlyfocused]

I was so busy this month, I forgot I actually posted this question. Thanks for taking the time to explain. I guess those are good benefits...I had a teacher say if you want to know if you have the material down, write it in your own words. So I'm sure its double that when you have to explain it to someone who needs help understanding it. Plus, I'm sure its a great motivator. I never knew that they need be prepared by studying pre-hand...that makes sense to me now. I should try it sometime.

 

[IslandStyle808]

I was so busy this month, I forgot I actually posted this question. Thanks for taking the time to explain. I guess those are good benefits...I had a teacher say if you want to know if you have the material down, write it in your own words. So I'm sure its double that when you have to explain it to someone who needs help understanding it. Plus, I'm sure its a great motivator. I never knew that they need be prepared by studying pre-hand...that makes sense to me now. I should try it sometime.

Glad to be of help. Also what your teacher had said to you about writing it in your own words is really good advice. A learning specialist once told me that understanding starts when you are able to take the information and manipulate it into your own words. When you are explaining a concept to people, the explanation will vary from person to person. This is what I mean by dimension, because you are talking about a concept from different perspectives.

Definitely make sure your study buddies have studied pre-hand. By having them study pre-hand, you eliminate all the fluff and easy stuff from the study session. You and your partners will be hitting the tough stuff more often, which will lead you to an A. You also get through more material quickly, because you all have gone over it by yourselves first.

In undergrad, you will see a lot of varying attitudes with studying and that is why people tend to isolate themselves. However, when you get to higher education you will be surrounded more and more by people who want to do very well in their classes, and study harder as a result. This is probably why study groups are more effective in medical school and other avenues of higher education (law, pharmacy, etc.). However, if you surround yourself with the right study buddies in undergrad, you will definitely see better results when you are in your study groups.

 

[gladlyfocused]

Wow, you've made me a believer...if I had only known this in undergrad. Well, it's never too late 🙂 Hopefully I can apply this in med school if I become accepted one day!

 

[valkener]

Some people do very well with a study buddy, others don't. As long as the cooperation is mutually beneficial, I'm all for it. It can also help to find gaps in your knowledge base. 🙂