Are You Interested Informing a Study Group?

The main purpose of a study group is to enable its members to deepen an understanding of the course material through collaborative learning. Members of a study group share diverse perspectives on complex topics, and build accountability. A study group can be an excellent way to work with fellow students to clarify questions, and keep their study sessions stimulating while making new friends and collaborating with peers toward academic excellence.

The Benefits of a Study Group

Supportive Environment: A study group provides a safe space to ask questions and receive feedback from peers in a less intimidating setting.

Diverse Perspectives: Members bring unique strengths, allowing for collaborative problem-solving that will help find multiple approaches to difficult problems.

Deepen Understanding: Using your own words to explain concepts to others and listening to different explanations helps to increase understanding of the course material.

Identify Knowledge Gaps: Discussions with members help to uncover areas of confusion that may not be noticed when studying alone.

Efficient Review: Creating shared study aids, such as flashcards or concept maps, and quizzing each other before tests are typical methods unique to study groups that reinforce learning.

Accountability and Motivation: Members stay on track and overcome procrastination with regular meetings that encourage consistency.

New York City College of Technology offers the opportunity to create and successfully run a study group, called “Study Buddies”.

How to Create Study Groups

By joining the Study Buddies group for a class, you let other students know you're interested in studying together. Then, Study Buddies helps you connect with other interested classmates through email.

1. Click on the Study Buddies link on the Navigate home page. This can be done either from the app or your computer via the Navigate Student website.

2. You will see a list of your classes. Select Join if you want to join or start a study group for this class.

3. Students already in the group will get a notification that a new student has joined the group. Other students in your class section will be able to see your email address and reach out to you.
4. Once you've joined a group you can email one or more of the students by selecting their names using the check boxes.
5. After selecting classmates, your email app will open with a prepopulated subject and body text saying "Hey! Would you be interested in studying together for [class name here]?"

Setting up a productive study group comes down to establishing logistics, focused session formats, and shared goals. To help get you started, review this study group guide which gives you tips for organizing and facilitating a successful study group.