How to - start a study group

'A problem shared is a problem halved…' - think seriously about setting up a study group, says Calum Robson. You'll enjoy a fresh perspective on your studies.

While some students prefer working solo, many others gain a great deal from devoting part of their study time to working in groups.

Advocates of study groups say they like being able to see things from a different point of view, or that interacting with students who work in different industries can bring new insights to the learning experience. Invaluable assistance can be provided when working on past papers - particularly with regard to interpreting written answers and working through calculations - while there's also the knowledge that you're not on your own, should you have a specific study problem.

Getting it off the ground

If you're new to study groups, or at least new to starting one, think carefully about the task you're setting yourself. For a study group to be effective, everyone participating needs to agree on the group's primary objectives. For instance, if you want to focus on specific papers, you may find that not everyone has the same difficulties with the same topics, and that a degree of compromise has to be reached. But that can be a good thing - you can exchange your insight into a topic with which you feel comfortable for a fellow student's expertise in an area where you need help.

Arrange a meeting to agree the group's purpose, and share responsibilities. For instance, setting the agenda for each meeting - will that be your job, or is it more even-handed and efficient to rotate this task? A schedule of group meetings that everyone can commit to is vital. Each meeting needs to have a focus for the discussion, including how any preparatory work will be shared out (eg by dividing up a past paper among group members) and what the key learning points should be.

Friends or strangers?

Study groups work best in small numbers (say, four or five) - which means you'll need to be selective. It's tempting to get together with your mates - but while this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's better to identify students who are seriously keen on forming a study group and who'll attend meetings conscientiously. Your friends might feel less concerned about missing the odd session - and when they do turn up, there's always the danger that the occasion becomes more social.

Don't be shy about approaching students you don't know too well - they’re likely to be pleased to be asked. However, allow time for group members to familiarise themselves with everyone's specialist knowledge areas, competencies and aims - so that you can play to each other's strengths and the group can find its own dynamic. Then try the group out for an initial 'pilot term' before reviewing its success.