In my first semester of college, I had to learn a lot of new things like how to live on my own, how to live with someone else and faced the most important challenge: How to study harder for all of my classes?

In high school, I did not have to do much studying, as all of my classes and tests were easy and presented no real challenge. However, when college rolled around, I knew I had to change my ways. I read articles on how to study for college courses, talked to family and friends and consulted my advisor for her advice on studying. Everywhere I looked and asked, all the results were consistent – studying alone and not in large groups with classmates.

I did this for most of my first semester classes and just like high school I passed them with ease, but when my second semester rolled around, I tried group studying.

I feel that studying in groups is more of a distraction, and there is no true studying accomplished. Too many people have too many different questions. People get side tracked too easily. Some people who never pay attention or attend class go to the group study session and have an easy out.

I personally do not mind helping others, but I do not like helping people who won’t help themselves. I understand the person who does not get one concept in a subject and needs help or the guy who missed one day because he was sick, but more times than not, the people who want to have a study group are the ones who make no attempt in the classroom.

Now, I am not saying that all study groups are bad and that everyone needs to study like me. All students are different and learn in different styles, but I could never truly focus in study groups. You always have that one person who wants to dominate the study session and never hears others’ thoughts or concerns regarding the subject. This is another reason why I was never really intrigued with big study groups.

Studying by myself is faster, more time efficient and educational. I focus on what I need to instead of going over the same concepts that I already understood over and over again. When I studied with large groups, we would never go over what I needed to understand, and I would never truly learn anything.

Another reason why I am not in favor of large study groups is because everyone has different schedules, and it is always hard to please everyone. Some students have work, some are student-athletes and some have prior commitments, and it seems that no one’s schedule truly aligns with everyone else’s. This may lead to a very late group study session or a very rushed one, which I never like when studying. I understand that everyone’s schedules do not line up, but I am in college to get a degree, not to make sure everyone else passes.

Studying in groups is not totally horrible. Some people are better prepared for taking tests after consulting with friends, but if you don’t want to waste too much time going over what you already know and you want to study smarter, studying alone is the wisest.

Do you find studying in groups to be beneficial or a distraction?

“I would consider it a distraction because whenever there are friends or anybody around, we tend to speak about something that’s not related to the course material.”

“I think they’re a benefit because a lot of students get to be with a lot of other class members that are also in need of getting some help and also to discuss more about whatever subject you’re studying.”

“If I ran across somebody and they wanted me to study with them, I think that it would be beneficial for me because I can get their opinion on different things, whatever the topic may be. So, for me personally, I think it’s beneficial.”

“I find them to be a benefit because, even with other people studying the same thing, I’ll find that we have different ways that we learn things.”

“I have yet to attend one.”

“I definitely find them to be a benefit because, you’re also with a bunch of people who are also doing the same thing. It really helps connect with everyone around you.”

“I find them to be a benefit, but I don’t find them to be accessible.”

“I find study groups to be very beneficial, because, it’s a great way to meet people, especially whenever you are in similar classrooms. And of course, you can always use a study buddy.

“I think they can be a benefit if they take it seriously and manage your time, but they can also be a distraction if you’re just messing around.”

“I think it’s a benefit because, when you have people around to study for, you can teach them what you know and put that into their head, and they can teach you what they know, you’re going to find differing opinions.”

“I think it really depends on the type of class and project that you’re working on. If you’re doing a paper, I would prefer doing it by yourself. If it was exam, I would do it by yourself.”

“I am a combination learner. So, in some classes, it tends to be a benefit. In other classes, it tends to be a distraction.”

“I find study groups to be beneficial because, like, I study better when I’m with people. I can’t really study on my own.”

“Honestly, I feel that they are a distraction. With so many people, you can get out of topic faster. So, I like to isolate myself.”

“I find them a distraction because I just talk a lot. So, if I am studying maybe by myself, I would be like more focused. If I am in a group studying, I am just going to be talking a lot and not studying.”