Group Study Tips That Actually Work!

Greta Marino

Before nursing school, I never considered myself someone who could study in a group. Now, I don't think I could go back to studying solo all the time! Let me give you my top tips to be successful through group studying--hopefully you will find it as rewarding as I do.

Find study partners that will push you to succeed

Nursing school is no joke! Studying with friends can make studying for long hours more bearable, but it can also distract you if you are not studying with the right people. I think this is the biggest reason that people avoid studying in groups, but good study partners will hold you accountable! I actually find myself getting distracted more often when I am studying alone.

Have a clear plan before you begin

When I am studying in a group, I try to have a good idea of what content we will cover in the time that we have. A pre-determined plan helps everyone stay on track and accomplish what they need to!

Talk through difficult concepts together

My friends and I will talk through complex topics, making connections and offering suggestions to remember things better. Sometimes we will write content on whiteboards together or "lecture" to each other, which makes it easier for me to remember!

Come up with practice questions for each other

As we are going through our notes from class, we will often pull out tricky topics to quiz each other on. Usually, I pick facts that I didn't remember myself, so it reinforces the information for both me and my friends! Also, we can help each other one if one person understands something a little better.

Although we often have to study for long hours as nursing students, I feel I have also gotten a lot closer to my friends through group studying. Nursing school is all about who you surround yourself with, and I think my classmates have motivated me to succeed in so many ways. While it may not be for everyone, I hope you will give group studying a try the next time you are preparing for an exam! Good luck, you got this!