How to Organize an Effective How to Organize an Effective College StudyCollege Study GroupGroup

Counseling and Psychological ServicesCounseling and Psychological ServicesUniversity Center, Suite 109University Center, Suite 109

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Why a Study Group?Why a Study Group? Great way to prepare for exams.Great way to prepare for exams.

Students can teach each other different Students can teach each other different materials.materials.

Groups can reduce study time.Groups can reduce study time.

Sharing talent.Sharing talent.

Note taking reinforcementNote taking reinforcement

Support systemSupport system

SocializingSocializing

Cover more groundCover more ground

Tuckman’s Model of Tuckman’s Model of Group DevelopmentGroup Development

How to Work Effectively in GroupsHow to Work Effectively in Groups

Step 1Step 1Get to know each other. Get to know each other.

Step 2Step 2 Assign roles if the project requires working together in a group for an extended Assign roles if the project requires working together in a group for an extended

period of time to reach a specific goal.period of time to reach a specific goal.

Step 3Step 3 Exchange contact information to enable group members to communicate Exchange contact information to enable group members to communicate

effectively outside of scheduled meetings if the project is long term.effectively outside of scheduled meetings if the project is long term.

How to Work Effectively in GroupsHow to Work Effectively in Groups

Step 4Step 4 Identify the group's goal. Discuss and document the group's goal to make sure Identify the group's goal. Discuss and document the group's goal to make sure

you all agree on the primary goal of the group's work.you all agree on the primary goal of the group's work.

Step 5Step 5 Divide tasks into steps and assign each member a specific task to attack long Divide tasks into steps and assign each member a specific task to attack long

term projects.term projects.

Step 6Step 6 Listen to each other and encourage each other. Listen to each other and encourage each other.

How to Work Effectively in GroupsHow to Work Effectively in Groups

Step 7Step 7Deal immediately with conflict if it arises. Although Deal immediately with conflict if it arises. Although difficult to deal with, conflict or discord in a group difficult to deal with, conflict or discord in a group can undermine the group's objectives. can undermine the group's objectives.

Problem Solving ModelProblem Solving Model

1. Define the Problem1. Define the Problem

2. Gather Information2. Gather Information and Data About theand Data About the ProblemProblem

3. Analyze the Problem3. Analyze the Problem

4. Develop Solutions4. Develop Solutions

5. Implement the Solutions5. Implement the Solutions

6. Monitor and Measure6. Monitor and Measure the Resultsthe Results

7. Adjust as Necessary7. Adjust as Necessary

Guidelines for Getting a Guidelines for Getting a Group TogetherGroup Together

How many?How many?Create a group of four to six Create a group of four to six people.people.

Who?Who? Pick classmates who seem to Pick classmates who seem to

share your interest in doing share your interest in doing well in class. Look for well in class. Look for

people who stay alert in class, people who stay alert in class, take notes, asks questions and take notes, asks questions and respond to the instructor’s respond to the instructor’s questionsquestions..

Guidelines … ContinuedGuidelines … Continued

Where?Where?Hold study group sessions Hold study group sessions in a place that is free of in a place that is free of distractions and that has distractions and that has room to spread out books room to spread out books and notesand notes..

How long?How long? Study groups should meet Study groups should meet

for no more than 2-3 hours for no more than 2-3 hours at a time.at a time.

Guidelines … ContinuedGuidelines … Continued When?When?

If possible, try to meet on the If possible, try to meet on the same day and time each week. same day and time each week.

State objectives and goalsState objectives and goalsKnowing what you want to Knowing what you want to achieve at each session helps achieve at each session helps the group stay focused and the group stay focused and manage time. A designated manage time. A designated session leader should state what session leader should state what goals aregoals are..

Guidelines …. ContinuedGuidelines …. Continued

Be preparedBe prepared..

Before session, be sure to finish your assigned reading, Before session, be sure to finish your assigned reading, review notes and list topics you want to go over. Bring review notes and list topics you want to go over. Bring

possible test questionspossible test questions..

Take turns teachingTake turns teaching

When you instruct the group, you not only help the When you instruct the group, you not only help the other group members, but also reinforce your own other group members, but also reinforce your own

knowledgeknowledge..

Guidelines … ContinuedGuidelines … Continued Stay on topicStay on topic..

For each session, assign one member to be the For each session, assign one member to be the taskmaster. This person’s job is to steer the group taskmaster. This person’s job is to steer the group members members back to the topic if they begin to drift.back to the topic if they begin to drift.

Take breaksTake breaks..Schedule 5 minute breaks after everySchedule 5 minute breaks after every

½ hr. or so of work.½ hr. or so of work. End of meetingEnd of meeting

End each meeting with assignments forEnd each meeting with assignments for

each group membereach group member

Review of Steps for Review of Steps for Effective Study GroupsEffective Study Groups

Establish logistics in advance.Establish logistics in advance.Date, time, place where meeting will be held.Date, time, place where meeting will be held.

Ask each person to create a mock test questionAsk each person to create a mock test question Bring to meeting and explain corresponding answer.Bring to meeting and explain corresponding answer.

Assign a topic to each students before meeting to become “experts”on.Assign a topic to each students before meeting to become “experts”on. Create a document that highlights the mostCreate a document that highlights the most important information. Bring copies for all group membersimportant information. Bring copies for all group members

Complete review guides before group meetsComplete review guides before group meetsBring to group and share your answers. Bring to group and share your answers.

Bring questions to the study group meeting.Bring questions to the study group meeting.

The group can work together to answer the questions.The group can work together to answer the questions.

Avoid GroupthinkAvoid Groupthink

Groupthink:Groupthink:

Someone in the groupSomeone in the group

comes up with an idea comes up with an idea and everyone accepts the and everyone accepts the idea without considering idea without considering better alternativesbetter alternatives..

Prepare list of questions Prepare list of questions for the professor.for the professor.

Avoid dead weights.Avoid dead weights. Avoid group members Avoid group members

who are too dominant.who are too dominant. Don’t be afraid to Don’t be afraid to

disagreedisagree.. Always come to group Always come to group

preparedprepared..

Study Break Tips for Study Break Tips for Exam WeekExam Week

1.1. Take a brisk walk or jog. Take a brisk walk or jog.

2.2. Watch mindless televisionWatch mindless television

3. Read a novel3. Read a novel

4. Watch a funny movie4. Watch a funny movie

5. Have a study snack.5. Have a study snack.

*Team Building Activity**Team Building Activity*

Plane Crash ScenarioPlane Crash Scenario

Instructions will be provided by presenter.Instructions will be provided by presenter.

Group DiscussionGroup Discussion

How did your group reach their decision?How did your group reach their decision?

What roles did group members adopt?What roles did group members adopt?

Did they listen to each other?Did they listen to each other?

What have you learned about the functions of a What have you learned about the functions of a group? Each other?group? Each other?

What would you do differently next time?What would you do differently next time?

Counseling and Psychological ServicesCounseling and Psychological Services

Counseling and Psychological ServicesCounseling and Psychological ServicesUniversity Center, Suite 109University Center, Suite 109

956-381-2574956-381-2574counseling@utpa.educounseling@utpa.edu

www.utpa.edu/counselingwww.utpa.edu/counseling