Benefits of Group Study for UMAT preparation

Everyone studies differently and has different paces at which they can take in knowledge. With that mind, it might seem like group study is a bit of a useless waste of time for everyone right? Wrong! Group study can be one of the most efficient and productive ways of studying- provided it is done right and this is definitely the case for any UCAT Preparation as well. I'm going to insert a mandatory disclaimer that there are some people for whom regardless of how much they try can't function well in a group and if you are one of those people then you should keep to the methods that work for you. In this blog, I'm just going to go over some basic building blocks of group study as well as things you should try to avoid.

 

Designate Tasks and Roles

No good team can function without everyone in the team know what their job is. For this purpose, it is often a good idea to have a "team leader" or someone who is responsible for assigning tasks and setting times to meet and catch up. The term leader is often mistaken for the overbearing boss, and this should not be the case. A team leader should be someone who is just as equally valued as all the other members of the team and only differ from other in that their role is to assign roles. Other good roles to have are scribes, someone who is going to note down the stuff the group discusses and also a reviewer/collator who is responsible for collating everyone's work or for reviewing tasks.

 

Meet regularly

A good study group is one that meets on a regular basis. This means that everyone knows their tasks and when they are due so they can best contribute to the group. In all honesty, I would say that if you are not seeing each other at least once every two weeks, then it’s not enough to call yourselves a study group. Regular intervals are what drives the motivation for the group and without the regular meetings, there is a strong tendency for people to drop the ball or take up conflicting commitments that will take precedence over the group study. This lack of organization can sometimes lead to unnecessary arguments as well as very unproductive work.

 

Good study groups aren't necessarily friends

To be in a study group you HAVE to get along with everyone in your group but you don't have to be best friends with them. Often, you will find that if your best friends or boyfriend/girlfriend are in a study group with you, they can become quite a distraction and you are more likely to go off-topic. There are couples and friends who you can work well with and it’s these people that you should aim to form your study group with. It might hurt some feelings if you elect to not invite friends to your study group but in the long run, it is important to remember that this might be the more beneficial option for both of you.

 

Clear communication!

Arguments will arise, it’s inevitable. During these times, it’s important that everyone in the group has their opportunity to contribute ideas towards the resolution. There are no dictatorships in a good group.

 

Do questions

Not all group study needs to be in the form of people giving mini explanations. After some trial and error, you will find a balance between doing the theory and discussing difficult questions as a group. You will find that this is awesome exam preparation. Often, when you do questions together you will find methods of answering or working out problems that may not have come to you on your own. In English particularly, it’s important to all try planning essays and share ideas, as this can open your eyes to new concepts and writing styles.

 

 

All in all, these are just some key things to look out for in terms of study groups! For those of you who are just about to take the UCAT good luck and I hope it all goes well!