What is a Study Group?
A study group is a small group of students who meet together regularly once
a week (beginning with the third week of the term) with the aid of a
trained leader to discuss concepts, confusions, and insights into course
material. Each group is unique, contains students with different backgrounds
and abilities, and determines its own pace and the material that will be
covered. This allows each group to address the needs of the individuals in the
group. Extra review sessions are also scheduled to allow for exam
preparation.
Students also have indicated that study groups benefit them in a variety of
ways. They include:
- Understanding how much of the class material they understood
- Understanding how others might approach/consider a problem
- Detailed explanations at a slower pace
- Solid exam preparation
- Meeting other students with whom they can study with
- Forces early and constant preparation of the material, leading to a high
level of confidence, a mastery of the material and better grades
Before coming to the study group, students review class notes and the
assigned reading, attempt the current problem set, and jot down points that are
unclear or questions they would like to discuss. In the study group, the leader
helps the students to get organized and to decide which questions are most
basic or important and encourages the students to work together and to answer
their own questions. The main role of the study group is to help students
organize their thoughts, test their understanding by asking and answering
questions, learn how to approach the material, and understand the basic
concepts involved.
Study group leaders are chosen on the basis of their grades in past courses,
recommendations from professors, willingness to help other students, and
ability to communicate the material well. Many of them have tutored individual
students in the subject before or have other tutoring experience.
Study groups usually begin the second or third week of the term and meet
once a week during the term with additional review sessions for exams if
necessary.
How to Join a Study Group
To sign up for a study group, stop by the Academic Skills Center and
complete a study group application. The cost for joining a study group is $10
for students who receive financial aid from Dartmouth College (i.e.,
NOT Pell grants or Stafford loans); $30 for non-financial aid
students.
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