Are Study Groups Worth Joining?

*So it's finally October, and for most of us this month isn't about dressing up as a pumpkin and showing up at your favorite Halloween hotspot.* _No, for most of us October means Midterms._ Though they can be as scary as a werewolf jumping out at you in a hunted house, there are a few things that can make them a lot easier to handle. Study groups in particular are one of the best ways you can cool your nerves and get some studying done at the same time. Although it may seem easy to find your group of friends and call them your study group, friends may not always be the best people to study with. I don't know about you but I hardly get any studying done with mine. So I am going to share my fool proof way of finding the perfect study group. *Step One: Pay Attention* The next time you go to class and sit in your assigned/ chosen seat, look around you (I recommend getting to class early so you can watch everyone else come in). Observe your classmates, what their wearing, who they are saying hi to, and where they sit. See if you can recognize any of them from dorm you live in, what sports they play, or if they are involved in the club you just joined. More than likely you will have things in common with them. *Step Two: Breaking the Ice* Now that you have figured out a little information about them, use it to start a conversation. I don't recommend doing this during class time, after class or before are normally the best times. Start out by asking a simple question, I recommend "Don't we live in the same dorm?" It is a very good open ended question that can lead to others like, "where are you from?" and "how much do you like history?" Breaking the ice leads to all important question for which you started talking to the person in the first place. *Step Three: Popping the Question* Okay, here it is, now is the time to casually say to the person, "So, midterms are coming up, would you want to get a study group together with me?" Smile and wait for the answer. If they answered yes, you are well on your way to finally getting some studying done and meeting a few new people as well. If they said no, then obviously they have issues with trying to get a better grade and studying with someone as good looking as you. I would then repeat with step two, because I promise you there is someone in your class who needs someone to study with as well. If all else fails, there are a few other ways to get a study group together. Asking your professor to mention the idea in class is a great way to find out if anyone else in interested. Studying with your friends is also a back up plan, just promise yourself that you will get some work done and leave the second you get too distracted. Once your study group is formed, they best places to study are obviously places that you can talk to each other at, communication is your friend here. Many places that come highly recommended are library, see if they have a conference room or two that are available, the local coffee shop, a great place to get caffeine and shout out flash cards at, and depending where you are (geographically that is) a grassy knoll, on a nice day, fresh air can clear your mind and make it ready for that four page review sheet. delicious | digg | technorati
Email this page