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| Study Groups |
 Make connections from day one - Start exchanging phone numbers and email addresses with your classmates, to begin building relationships prior to working together.
Select a diverse group - Some people take excellent notes; others have photographic memories. People who possess the great test-taking skills have strategies to share, and the person with perfect attendance is disciplined and will have all previous assignments. If you gather these people together, you will form a group that has strengths in every area, allowing each person to benefit, while teaching some valuable study skills.
After selecting some people to invite, try to make a habit of the days/nights and times you meet each week. The study group should feel a sense of responsibility for attending group meetings, to offer and receive vital support between classes. At every meeting, group members should be able to ask questions about materials they did not understand, or assignments they may have missed. Later, begin working on current assignments and preparing for long-term projects.
The mane benefit of studying with a group of classmates is the support you can receive, particularly as someone who has been out of the classroom setting for some time. When you work together, your group may grow slightly larger or smaller, but overall you can reach a comfort level that will allow group members to help each other in areas where they need support, such as organization, time management, studying, test-taking, memorization, and understanding theory.
At last, don’t be afraid to make a contribution. Often non-traditional students start off thinking they have nothing to offer a class of younger students fresh out of high school. But your practical, professional experience can illustrate theories discussed in class, allowing traditional students to better understand what they are learning. In your study group, you may open discussions about concepts and offer your point of view. Every person should be encouraged to put their best work on the table.
A study group is a perfect way to improve your skills and enhance your class performance. Besides, it is also a great way to make good friends and get the most out of your back to school experience.
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