Meredith
What is the best way to study?
Should you study alone or in groups?
#college-advice #college #studying-tips
7 answers
Jacob Schwarber, CPA
Jacob’s Answer
Hi, Meredith,
Really, there is no single, good answer to your question. The best way to study depends on many different factors. The subject, type of examination, and your own personal preferences all play into the optimal style of studying. I'd recommend experimenting with studying alone versus studying in groups to see which you prefer.
Keep in mind that studying alone does not necessarily mean that you are studying in a room by yourself. You can quietly study with some of your classmates and ask each other questions from time to time. That way, you aren't distracted by a lot of noise but still have the option to leverage the perspectives of other people about the subject matter you are studying. It also enables you to teach the material yourself, which will help ingrain the topic more firmly in your mind.
Don't be afraid to try different techniques to figure out what works best for you. I hope this helps! Good luck!
Corey Spevack
Corey’s Answer
Hi Meredith,
I totally agree, it really depends on your personal preferences. I knew people in school who could only study by themselves while others loved to study in groups. While it is true that groups can be distracting at times if everyone is not focused, studying with others allows you to ask questions when you are unsure and also answer their questions which will help prove to yourself that you understand the material. Something I used to do with my friends was we used to study by ourselves first, then later on we would get together and discuss what we were having trouble with to see if we could help each other out. I found this to be a good mix so that I ensured I was doing everything I could to be successful.
Good luck!
Richard A.
Richard’s Answer
Go to class. Plan to spend 2-3 hours studying for every hour of lecture. Attend your professor's office hours and any TA review sessions. If there is a test bank, use that as a study tool to understand what your professor wants you to focus on for the test.
You will find out yourself whether studying in groups is best for you. The best way to test whether you know something is trying to explain it to someone else. However if you are limited on time, studying alone can be more efficient.
Rachel Weinheimer
Rachel’s Answer
Amanda Aguilar-Oliver
Amanda’s Answer
Hi Meredith,
There are many great ways to approach studying whether you are working in groups or individually. The goal is to study and study in multiple sessions (avoid cramming).
Here are some suggestions for studying in a group:
1.Create Flash Cards to share with the group. Remember to shift the roles of reader and responder.
2.Share out areas of concern, ask for guidance with a particular question. Someone in the group might be an expert in that specific area. If everyone in the group is unsure, there are additional hands/minds to research the appropriate answer.
Here are some suggestions for studying independently:
- Create a quick facts/study sheet. You can increase your memory of the subject matter by organizing and jotting down the information for later review.
- When reading the study material, attempt to read out loud in a foreign accent. It may seem unconventional but reading with an accent can help retain the information. You can also recite the information with a musical/spoken word cadence.
- Get into your studying zone! Grab snacks, adjust lighting in your personal space, play some light music.
Happy Studying!
kyujin lim
kyujin’s Answer
