Group study sessions always seem like a great idea—until they aren’t. You start off with the best intentions: “Let’s gather our friend group and head out to the library, where we will review for the test, take notes together, and quiz each other.” But somehow, that evening of “only productivity” quickly turns into scrolling on TikTok while chatting and eating food. And by the time you leave, you might think, “I have absolutely nothing done.”
If this sounds a little too familiar, don’t stress—group study sessions don’t have to be like that. You can transform those unproductive meetings into a purposeful and enjoyable study session with a few simple tweaks.
1) Set clear goals with your study group
Before you even meet up, decide what you want to accomplish. This decision can be what each individual wants to achieve or what the entire group wants to do. Whether this means reviewing assigned readings or completing practice problems, having an objective keeps everyone focused. After deciding what tasks must be completed, write down the plan and use it to guide your study session.
2) Stay accountable
If I’ve learned anything about study sessions it’s that they can quickly turn into a session of chit-chatting and unrelated discussions. But what would be a good solution to this? Hold each other accountable but in an encouraging way. Be sure to set short time limits for tasks using a method like the Pomodoro timer. For example, set a 30-minute timer dedicated to focused study time and follow that with a 5-minute break.
3) Use the group’s strengths
Whether it’s math, English, or science, everyone has a subject they excel at, so be sure to use it to your advantage. For example, if someone in the group is really good at solving math problems, have them lead the group and teach others how to do them too. Doing so not only allows those struggling to learn from someone who has mastered the concept, but it also gives the person teaching a way to reinforce their understanding of the subject matter.
4) Celebrate the small accomplishments
Even if you didn’t get through all of the goals outlined, recognize the progress you did make. Make sure to congratulate one another for things like finally understanding a confusing concept and finishing a round of practice questions to stay motivated and feel rewarded.
I hope these minor tweaks to your study sessions transform them from unproductive social hours to group study sessions you actually look forward to!
