Study alone or study in groups?

@tenrajj (911)
Bhutan
March 23, 2011 2:22pm CST
Some students prefer to study alone. Others prefer to study in a group. Which do you prefer and why so? I think study habits are a very individual thing. Personally, I would rather study alone, but I can see advantages to both ways. It can be very helpful to study with otehrs students. For one thing, you can exchange information about the topic or subject. Not every one is going to hear everything the teacher says int the class. Comparing notes is a good way to be sure you get what you missed. You can also discuss various aspects of the topic. Other students can bring a different perspective to the discussion. They can point out things you may not have thougt of.
5 people like this
43 responses
@Liliac26 (557)
• Romania
23 Mar 11
I prefer to study alone. I can concentrate better. In a group, we end up pushing the books aside and doing something else. It's fun, but not very productive. Back in the day, when I had to work on projects with other students, we used to spend hours laughing and do very little work. Then, we would all do our bit separately and put it all together at the last minute. I always did better on individual projects.
2 people like this
@mythociate (21438)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
24 Mar 11
I think it depends: if you know where your group of friends are in the subject, you can either catch up or slack off on your own; study with them to find out where they are, and then you know.
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
23 Mar 11
hello tenrajj, I usually study alone. But there are times that studying in a group is much easier because it helps me to remember more lessons. Studying in a group also is having fun while learning,that would break the monotonous of having lecture everyday.
2 people like this
@mayenskie (1307)
• Philippines
24 Mar 11
I prefer to study alone first and then study with the group after. When i was still in school, most of over night group study usually turned into a night of gossiping and individual activities. Why? because none of us has any idea or better understanding on the subject thus, we can't share anything about something we do not know yet. Unless if, I have read it, even if i only read about the subject casually, at least I have an idea in which we could discuss and come into a more profound understanding. I like group study, nonetheless, because I can have time to copy notes I've missed and its a great reason to stay out late.
@tenrajj (911)
• Bhutan
24 Mar 11
That is good idea and that is what use to do and i am doing now. I first study alone and try to understand. If i can't understand then go for somebody who might have better knowledge about particular topic.
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
23 Mar 11
I don't mind studying in group. It can be nice, if I feel that I need it, or something. However, I have to say that I prefer studying alone. I have an easier time doing it that way.
@tenrajj (911)
• Bhutan
23 Mar 11
yea.. more over is study group does not take it serious, it is better that we study alone.If we are trying to study with friends and all they want to do is talk about other things, we got get more done going somewhere to study by ourself. Being with people who don't want to study can mean we will be constantly be distracted. there will be lots of interruptions and we won't gain much.
@pokumon (644)
• United States
23 Mar 11
I don't think I've ever studied for an exam in a group so I can't say for sure, but I prefer to study alone. I actually don't know how to study that well. Mainly I read my notes and read the book and look up anything I don't understand or find confusing. Seems to work most of the time. I have used other people's notes when I missed class, but normally they don't capture everything so it is best to go to your classes in my opinion. I have collaborated on problem sets with other students and have found this to be invaluable. Some problem sets are way too long to deal with completely by yourself. I had one class where the sets would take 12 hours with collaboration.
24 Mar 11
Studying alone is the best for me.. your mind is at ease and is in comfortable state.. no hassle and you can think clearly.. but im not saying that group study is not that great.. its also good cause you can share all your knowledge and ideas together...
@prazzii (42)
• India
23 Mar 11
when u have a lot of tym before exam then grup study is beneficial...as in group study u share the information n if u dont know any topic you may take help of one of the frnd and you can also divide the syllabus among the frnd and nest day each one explain his topic to other this save tym n as u get a chance toh explain whatever u learnt..its like a double practice.. but make sure you dont waste tym in gossip and all u have to be veru firm with ur group descision bt if u go for last tym preparation then study alone is gud. dont go for group study on exam tym
@tenrajj (911)
• Bhutan
23 Mar 11
Yea, as you say it depends a lot on the timing and duration. It also depends a lot on the study habits and personality. If we need absolute quiet to study, then better alone. If we are really social person, then also bette study alone. I will be tempted too socialize instead of studying. This is the reason I prefer studying alone. When I am with other poeple, I play and don't study.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
26 Mar 11
Whether I study alone or in a group will be determined by how much trouble I have with a subject. It sometimes helps to be able to talk to someone else about a concept that I have trouble with, but for the most part, I prefer to study alone. It is easier for me to concentrate.
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
25 Mar 11
For me group study is much better than study alone...because if your alone studying you might be lazy open your book. But if your in the study group you able to ask your classmates anything that is not clear onto you...
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
26 Mar 11
I haven't been a student for several years. However, when I was in college, I found that it was much better for me to study independently than to study in groups. I think that the reason for this is because of the fact that I tend to learn in a much different way than other people learn. When I would try to work in groups I would end up very frustrated and in fact when it was time for testing, I didn't score as well in those situations.
@aeiou78 (3445)
• Malaysia
25 Mar 11
For me, I never trust in studying in a group. Studying in a group will easily deviate from their main intention of doing so. They will gradually talk about the topics far away from their studies. Finally, they will go in a group for other entertainments. In my conclusion, studying in a group will be very hard to concentrate in their study. All of the while, I prefer to study alone. when I have a problem in my study, then only I shall contact my friends for help.
@gabbymg (127)
• United States
25 Mar 11
I really think it depends on the subject. If you have to read a whole chapter as part of your studying it should be done alone and then maybe after set up a group study session where you all discuss what you read. With my English class I met up with two girls from my class before our final discussion exam and we were able to ask each other questions we thought would be asked. We also talked about the texts we were required to read for the exam. I regret not meeting up with these girls through the whole semester because I was able to get a 100% on the mini quiz that determined if we could take the final through a group discussion or not and with the discussion I received a 100% as well. During the semester I studied alone and although I participated in our group discussions daily, I wasn't as well prepared because I had just read the texts and not discussed what I thought before class. I think you're definitely right though, when you study with others they can show you a different perception and they usually interpret things differently which is always an interesting thing to look at during studying.
@syoti20 (5293)
• Philippines
25 Mar 11
I prefer to study alone. I might hook up in a study group which ends to be a group party. At the end of the session we learned nothing but vices. And I hate if that day comes.
• Philippines
28 Mar 11
I always prefer studying alone - mainly becuase I am easily distracted and I really can't stand other people's noises or voices when I'm supposed to be concentrating or memorizing something. Most likely, I'm going to be the sour person on the group that keeps giving everyone dagger eyes. So, I would rather to do my studying alone and on my own. I can be on my own pace or have my own choice or distraction like music or do something completely out of the blue. I also don't like people inquiring me on how muych I have learne dor peopel asking for my notes. I view that it's pretty inconsiderate of people to ask like that. Though you have listed some points to consider in a group study, it would only be effective if the people involved do try do study and ot make the session as a social activity. Discussion should concentrate on the subject topics and not on other things that can be talked later. in this way, the session serves it purpose and is done effectively.
• India
28 Mar 11
hi, i am rahul from india !!! well dear according me study in a group is better. because when you study in a group then if you find any pro in study you can solve it easily . when you are study in group. when you study in group you will not br bored this is also a good point of study in group you mind will more fresh that alone study when you study in group. so i think gropup study is best
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
24 Mar 11
I remember back those days when I was still a student, I cuoldn't study in groups with my classmates because we would talk a lot and snack together. If I really wanted to focus on studying and concentrate on my work, I needed to study alone at home, not even at the libraries, otherwise I would look around atr the people and stuff.
• United States
24 Mar 11
I've hardly ever done any studying in groups. "Study Meetings" aren't exactly the prime social engagements of my peers. The only times I've ever studied with other students would be right before class when we're all coming in and talking over our notes. Most of the time I study alone just cause it's convenient and nobody really wants to study with me anyway. (Not that they don't want to study WITH ME... they just don't want to STUDY with me. If you get my drift.)
@cmang83 (285)
• Malaysia
24 Mar 11
I prefer to study in a group. I am a person lack of discipline. If i study alone, i don't think i can concentrate. One good point of having a study group is when i see my friend are concentrating doing their revision, i will feel stress and indirectly, i will more concentrate in my revision too. But sometimes, there are few disadvantages to study in group. When studying in group, if we found some topic which is interesting, then we will spend a long time in chit chating about the topic.
@keshia2007r (2880)
• United States
24 Mar 11
i perfer either or. both methods work. studying in groups could help you to understand the material better. Meaning when things are often read to you, you get a better understanding. And other people's input, thoughts and methods always works as well.
• India
24 Mar 11
I always study alone that also in a silent place, for this mostly i study in night timings as it would be silent. If i study in a noisy place i use to watch them and get diverted to their speech. If we study in a group, all will be talking mostly and also some people will read loudly, this makes others uncomfortable for reading in a group.
• Malta
24 Mar 11
Some people believe that the group study only turns out to be a waste of time because in many cases,group members do not do their parts.However,their claim obviously overlooks the potential benefits of studying with a group of people.