5 Group Study Tips For Boards
There are many ways you can supplement your core studying sessions. One way is by studying in groups. This can be a very effective way to help your fellow students as well as have them help you. It also can cut down on review books and other study materials costs. However, if not done correctly, study groups can increase your anxiety, make you feel unprepared, and lose some friends in the process. Most importantly study groups can be a waste of time and unproductive. By following these tips you can improve your chances of having a successful study group.
1) Choose the right people. The natural reaction when forming a study group is to get a few friends together. This is a good start because you already know the personalities of your friends and it will make you feel more comfortable. But choosing the right friends is key to having a productive study group. First, you want to choose people who are willing to help as well as be helped. You all know that medical students are very competitive. You don’t want that person who thinks they know everything and will refuse to accept your answer even if they are wrong! These people will cause you unnecessary frustration. Furthermore, you want to choose people who are around your same “intellectual level.” The smartest person in your class might not mean it, but come boards time they will increase your anxiety level. If you need some help go to them but to study with them for long periods of time will only make you feel unprepared for your boards. Finally, it’s a good idea to find people who are studying from the same book (i.e. First Aid). This makes scheduling specific topics much easier. It also keeps everyone on the same page. People make or break the group so choose wisely.
2) Have a group meeting. This is an essential step. It may seem like a waste of time but it is very important to sit down as a group and come up with an attack plan as well as set some ground rules and goals. The next two steps can also be done during this meeting.
3) Devise a plan of attack. There are a couple ways you can structure your study groups. All members should have a say and it is vital that you all come to an agreement. You can have a group where one person at a time will stand up in front of the others and actually lecture on a topic. This is great for learning the topic you lecture on but often leaves gaps in other areas of your studies. Another option is to quiz each other. This is a great way to make sure your study techniques are working for you. However, if you are not prepared for your group session it will be a complete waste of time. This option also has the best chances of giving you a panic attack and increasing your anxiety. Try to keep the questions relative to what each member has read or covered in the scheduled topic. The third option for a study group for your medical boards is to have question and answer sessions. This is not quizzing each other. It is more asking questions about material that was unclear to the student or to get a further explanation from the group. This is a great way to combine the other options discussed above. No matter what options you choose, stick to the plan and you will benefit.
4) Make a schedule. As a group you need to write down a schedule and stick to it. It should be established how many times a week you want to meet and for how long. You should also decide on what topics you want to cover for each session. If you are all using the same review book (i.e. First Aid) you can choose to assign page numbers to be covered for each session. Make your schedule with adequate time to review all the material before each session. If you feel that your first schedule is moving too fast than change it (as a group). Writing down a schedule and giving a copy of it to everyone in the group will improve compliance.
5) Get the most out of it…be prepared! It is absolutely essential that you are prepared for your group sessions. Be sure to review all the information to be covered as well as write down any questions you may have. If you are not prepared, you are not only wasting your own time you’re wasting the time of the others. You only have yourself to blame for this…so get it done!
These five tips will lead you and your group to much success on your medical boards. Remember, study groups are a supplement to your boards review. They are a great way to break up the long, boring hours required to ace your boards.
