Be it working on projects, preparing for exams, or creating presentations, group studies can be fun. Despite all debates lingering around regarding studying in a group, many students prefer group studying as it helps to build knowledge and clear conceptions. In this section, experts at Plancess have highlighted the key benefits of studying in groups:
1. Learn Faster and Efficiently
Studying together in groups, students tend to learn faster and more efficiently than self-study. You may have difficulty in understanding one section of a chapter, but it may be quite clear to your fellow student. Thus, you can quickly learn the concept by asking questions to your friend. So, you do not have to boggle your mind learning a topic. Likewise, you can help a friend when they face difficulties understanding something, where you have a clear understanding.
2. Group Study Helps Promote Creativity
Study groups are competitive and cooperative at the same time. Studying in groups helps to promote creativity and critical thinking as questions and explanations arise in debates and discussions. It creates an interactive environment that not only helps to improve knowledge but also reinforces learning. There are several aspects that you can miss during self-study. But when you study in a group, the chance of missing anything is rare.
3. Stop Procrastinating
When you study alone, a sense of procrastination or doing it later might creep in. You might find out several excuses to “rationalise” postponing your study. You might want to check Facebook or take a small nap. All these may actually contribute in breaking your mood rather than making it. On the other hand, in an interactive study environment, there are rare chances of procrastination. Even if you wish to postpone things, there will always be someone who will push you to study.
4. Break the Boredom
One of the biggest disadvantages of self-study is boredom. It is not surprising to feel monotonous when you study alone. However, the problem is that boredom causes you to lose focus and you might engage in some other activities, or again, procrastinate. When you study in groups, monotony and boredom are rare because you have other fellow students to interact and study in a friendly environment that invokes learning.
5. Get Instant Answers to Questions; Resolve Problems
When you study a subject, numerous questions may pop up in your mind. However, you have to wait to ask your teacher or tutor to get the answer for the same. Until then the question will bug you down. Again, imagine a situation when you trying to solve a problem and you get stuck with no one to help you. This can be quite embarrassing and annoying. On the flip side, when you are studying in a group, you have other students to consult when a question arises in your mind or you face difficulty solving a problem.
6. Know New Study Methods
Besides gaining a new perspective to learning a topic, you may also learn new techniques when you study in a group. Most students have their individual study methods and during group study, you may observe different study techniques in action. Consider their pros and cons, and determine whether you want to integrate them into your study method. While your way of study can be excellent, you may always want to sharpen your mind and learn more efficiently by learning new study methods.
7. Improve Your Communication Skills
Studying with your peers is a good way to hone your communication skills. This will help you to work collaboratively with your colleagues during your career.
Before you join a study group, it is important to remember that not all groups are created same. Therefore, it is vital that you choose your fellow students carefully.
The Plancess Edusolutions team is present on PaGaLGuY with the user id @plancess. Write to them to get more tips and ideas. This article was originally published on their blog JEE-Mag, and has been lightly edited for clarity.