Having a study buddy or group is one of the many ways that you can supplement your individual study time and maybe even have some fun.

The immediate benefits include greater retention and mastery by recalling and explaining material to others, improved interpersonal skills and increased motivation.

To make it work, stay up-to-date, meet regularly, dare to share your thoughts and learnings, encourage each other, and ensure everyone does their part equally.

By forming a study partnership or group, you can:

• compare notes to gain a different perspective or ensure you haven't missed anything or understood something incorrectly;


• motivate each other;


• keep each other accountable such that all participants attempt and cover the same material before each meeting;


• stay on track and reduce procrastination or missed due dates;


• apply what's been learned, which is particularly useful when studying languages, a musical instrument or nursing;


• share notes if someone misses a class;


• be better prepared for exams by testing or quizzing each other;


• get free tutoring in a subject by offering your own expertise or ability in another, but be upfront about your intentions;


• learn new ways to learn from your partner or group by seeing how they take notes or approach assessments;


• use aural learning strategies and get immediate feedback; and


• make new friends or build relationships and social skills.

Rules of the game:

• Prepare well before each meeting by attending or watching the class or lecture, reading the prescribed materials, summarizing concepts in your own words, attempting practice questions, and highlighting any issues or problems you have with the material.


• Everyone must be committed to the cause. Things can easily go astray if one or more people veer the discussion off topic.


• Consider nominating someone to lead topics by expressing what they understood. Follow this up with a group discussion to expand upon, gently correct, apply or demonstrate what has been said so far.


• Establish a regular meet-up time, such as two days after the last class or lecture of the week to give everyone the opportunity to review and/or prepare for the next lesson.


• Set a strict amount of time to dedicate to study during the meeting. Leave the eating and gossiping for afterwards.


• Have a five-minute break every 30 minutes to loosen up and not lose concentration.


• Minutes of a meeting can be helpful, but should be avoided as it's extra work that's often assigned to one person and is usually duplicated effort. Try to take all notes related to the meeting at the meeting.


• All phones should be out of sight and on silent during the study session.


• Allow for or arrange optional social time after some (or all) study sessions. This will foster a more collaborative, engaging, relaxing and open study atmosphere. It may even instil a deeper level of commitment to the group.

Studying with a partner or a group is not for everyone as some study better alone, have demanding commitments, or maybe a subject does not lend itself to group discussion. If you're wary for one reason or another, most study groups would readily welcome a new member and agree to a trial session to be certain it's the right dynamic for your personality and theirs.