I am writing this post because I have noticed that there is a lack of information on how to effectively be in a study group and learn the material. There are different ways to do a study group. For example, have each person do an outline for a different class while another way is to just meet at the last minute (or week) and ask a bunch of questions.
I am currently watching a study group that is bound to fail and leave the members struggling to teach themselves the material at the last minute because each member is not effectively learning anything. Each member is assigned to do the case briefs and outline for a specific class. But the members are just pulling their information from supplementals (I watch them doing it during class) without fully reading the information. If you are just pulling information without reading it or relying on other people to do the work, you are not going to do well in classes.
You know the scene in Legally Blonde when Elle is trying to be sweet and join Warner's study group? When Vivienne says "we already assigned the outlines," I always want to scream because I have yet to see a benefit from having each person assigned to do all of the readings or the outlines for a specific class. Granted, each to their own. It may work for some, but it most likely does not work for the majority.
As a rule of thumb, I make my study group 80% solo effort and 20% teamwork. It is helpful to go to friends for help when I need to review or have questions, but I benefit from doing things on my own so that I am charge of my information. I prefer to create my own outlines and briefs so that I know all of the information is correct and can be found in either lecture notes or in the textbooks. Call me paranoid, but I prefer having control over what I study.
Below are some ways to effectively learn from a study group BEFORE finals week comes around.
#1: Do Not Assign Readings
This is not a surprise since I basically said this a few sentences ago. I think the worst thing you can do is to have a person be in charge of writing an outline or do the reading for a certain class. If you are not doing the reading/writing yourself, you most likely will not be able to fully understand the material. There are other reasons to why having someone else do the case briefs is a horrible idea. Having someone else do the case briefs means that you are not actively learning in that class. Plus, receiving somebody's notes will not make sense to you 80% of the time. Knowing somebody else is taking care of the reading will usually allow you to not pay attention in class. Plus, you don't know if the person got lazy and just pulled all the info off of Quimbee (more on how to effectively use supplemental materials later in another post).
Professors are looking for more in depth information (they know Quimbee exists) and want to see if you are understanding the material. You will do better on exams if you do your own case briefs because you will be pulling information from the book (professors really are looking for you to use information only mentioned in the book, not in class) and will be creating notes that will help you come exam time.
#2: Make Your Own Outlines
This piggybacks off of #1. But do your own reading and take notes. I even suggest making your own outlines for each class. It will pay off come exam time if you do your own work because you will more likely be able to understand the material. Plus, you will have time to spot information that you need to work on (i.e. Parol Evidence Rule 🙄🙄) before mid terms or finals are near. (I will do a post later on how to organize outlines)
#3: Come Together
Combining #1 and #2, plan to meet with your group either once a week or once every other week. Once an exam is near, meet more often.
When you meet with your group, have your outlines and briefs printed out because it is easier (and faster) to handwrite notes than to enter them on the computer. This will also allow you to see notes you got from other people and will also let you to do additional research before typing them into your outlines/briefs. Handwriting notes will also ensure that your typed notes don't become disorganized with your group's information in case you were in a hurry to take notes. If you prefer computer, then color code any notes from your group.
#4: How To Review
When you meet with your group, start from the beginning and go step by step. It is best if you meet in a room with a whiteboard so you can write things out and the entire group can see it.
{Tip: Make sure that your outline's format either resembles the syllabus or the book's table of contents. This is a great way to stay organized and to be able to ensure that you hit each topic.}
#5: Don't Feel Pressured
Do not feel pressured to make your outlines resemble another person's. We all learn differently. Plus, take a grain of salt with what is said in the group because you do not know if the person fully understands what they're saying. They could also accidentally screw up information by accident.
Take notes during the meeting and then look up all the new information to ensure that it is correct.
#6: Collaboration
If you all want to combine your outlines, then use either Google Docs or Evernote. You all can have a document up and see what the other person is typing. Create the outlines together during your meeting so that you can ask questions and ensure that the right information is being entered. When you are going step by step (#4), have someone enter the information. If you did your own reading and are creating outlines with the group, then you are double learning.
I hope this helps you! Just remember to be confident and that you will do well if you do your own work! 👩🏼💼