Being in a group of like minded individuals can spark creativity, excellence and growth, even in the toughest periods of lack of motivation.
We might like to think that we can do things solo and don’t require help from anyone, but often this mindset can be a hindrance rather than a help.
A study group can not provide a space for collaborative learning as well as a hub for support and expertise in areas you might need guidance in, with each individual member having a way in which they can help others.
Across my Accounting Exam Accelerator Programme I help students find new ways to learn ahead of their upcoming exams, not just simply focusing on the academic aspects of the course.
What Exactly Is A Study Group?
A study group can be whatever you want, whether you find you work best in a duo without too many voices or prefer the brainpower of 15 people in one room.
You can’t expect to fully understand every aspect of the syllabus from all angles, so gaining different insights and perspectives can prove to be invaluable when deeping your knowledge.
A study group also allows you the opportunity to teach others and offer what you know as a helpful resource, enabling you to talk to yourself and the members of your group through your learning process, meaning you can identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Success comes in many different forms, with successfully helping fellow students enhance their revision being one of the many mini milestones you can reach along the pathway to passing your final exams.
Even if you’re not a particularly social person who isn’t likely to speak up too much, joining in with a group of people in the same situation as you will provide a great setting for your academic evolution, especially if you’ve never been in one before.
Developing from those around us is both rewarding and beneficial, so partaking in a study group can be a great extra step to securing that crucial pass grade.
How To Start A Study Group?
Now that you have the idea of and incentive to join a study group, it’s time to get the wheels in motion and either join or start one.
You might find that there aren’t currently any groups going in your local area, so you’re likely to have to start one from scratch and recruit individuals on your course to join you.
Finding three to five people is believed to be the optimal number, but it all depends on how you work best, so invite as many people as you can or want.
It’s crucial to find the right people to take part in your study group; there’s no point including individuals with no accountancy experience, so find people who are in the same boat as you in the exam process.
If you’re struggling finding willing members in the same area as you, try looking further afar – there’s no harm in having virtual meetings so long as you keep yourself involved and committed as you would in-person.
Once you’ve established your group, it’s important to stick to a pretty strict routine and not deviate away from what you want to achieve, which can be done through some pretty handy steps that I’ve outlined below.
1. Set A Weekly Schedule
You should know by now that I love a schedule and not only do I think it provides an invaluable structure when you need it most during your revision, it can keep you accountable for your short-term tasks and long-term goals.
Setting a standard weekly limit when you’re going to meet as a group means you have a definitive period as to when you will study, learn and absorb information, but you can of course meet more depending on everyone’s desires and availability.
2. Identify Challenges
When studying for exams, there are constantly going to be challenges and hurdles that crop up, so speaking on these as a team should calm your mind.
It will also highlight where the majority of your time should be spent, as you can vocally prioritise your to-do list and assess if it sounds feasible or needs editing.
3. Set Your Goal
Whilst your ultimate goal is to pass your exam, you will have a variety of short-term goals to consider also, all of which will need to be put into perspective.
Think about which topics need to be tackled, their difficulty and how you will work towards them, with your group being able to support you as they may or may not have the same level of understanding as you do.
4. Produce Your Own Content
You can hold yourself accountable by showing what you have actively done as part of your studying to everyone else, whether it be through a simple demonstration or taking the time to teach others about what you covered.
It adds a reality to your study group, because rather than just planning what you will do either individually or together when you meet, you can start each session off with what you did in your own self-directed revision periods, giving a true incentive to learn.
You have the ability to structure your study groups in whatever way you and other students feel fit, so don’t take my words to be set in stone.
My final advice is to outline a formal structure so that you can stick to what you want to gain and make sure you reach that pinpoint.