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The Wisdom of Study Groups
Collaborations Create Lasting Lessons and Long-Term Bonds
It has been said that two heads are better than one. So it only stands to reason that many heads working would be, well, even better. Indeed, that's what continuing education students are finding as they unite to complete assignments, study for exams, and tackle long-term projects.
Think you're too busy to devote additional time to getting together with your classmates? Think again. "While study groups are valuable in all levels of education, for working professionals, they are really practical," says Karen A. Maccaro, associate dean of the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. "When appropriate, they can allow for a division of labor which helps with time management, workload, and work-life balance."
At Cambridge College, where most students are working adults, study groups offer both academic and social benefits, says James Stephen Lee, assistant dean and professor of biology at the Undergraduate College. "Many students are working full time, caring for children or aging parents, and dealing with the multitude of life challenges that adults face." Instead of feeling isolated by these stressors, he says, "our students tend to band together to provide a network of support for each other."
Study groups also help students develop "soft skills," such as communication, leadership, and conflict resolution, says Maccaro. "These are some of the skills that are most highly rated and sought after by hiring managers and recruiters."
Kevin Piskadlo, assistant dean/director of the Academic Advising Center at Waltham's Bentley College, echoes these sentiments, adding that study groups are ubiquitous among Bentley business students. Besides being better prepared for the realities of the workplace, he says, "students who work in groups tend to get better grades and are happier because they feel more connected to the college." He adds that groups also serve as a powerful networking tool leading to job offers and sales opportunities.
Business students aren't alone. At the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover, study groups are commonplace, says Paula Colby- Clements, director of admissions. "Though we don't organize them formally for the students, they inevitably tend to start forming within the first few weeks of class. Students seek out like students and form their groups. It happens every semester."
Indeed, study groups' benefits are so numerous that some believe professors should do more to encourage them. Says Cambridge College's Lee: "By promoting group work and scholarly interaction, we help our students develop meaningful skills that go far beyond the individual course topic. Students learn what it means to be part of a community, and how collective efforts can accomplish goals and ideals that are truly greater than the self." And this, he says, "is what education is all about."
Study Group TipsOpposites attract. Groups that form based on complementary skills, a common industry, or a diverse set of industries, tend to be particularly valuable. Kerin Joyce, a graduate of Bentley College's evening program, says that one of her most successful teams blended people with writing and editing skills. Deanna Morin, a graduate student at Emmanuel College, says she has benefited from groups with members from different industries. "When I work with someone in insurance or consulting, I develop more hard business skills," says Morin, who works in supplemental education. And she has learned new approaches to management challenges from another group member who works in human resources. Be open-minded. People work at different paces and have different styles. The most effective study groups set goals and expectations, but also leave room for individual differences. No freeloading. Each group member needs to be willing to carry his or her own weight. When study groups break down, it's usually because one or several members feel they are carrying someone else. Assign roles. Some groups assign a leader who takes care of scheduling, communication, and other details. Other groups assign project management tasks to various team members on a rotating basis. Either way, there needs to be some structure so goals are accomplished. Communicate. Spell out everything and develop the art of active listening. With good communication, you can avoid duplicating one another's efforts and also keep the group dynamic positive. Respect your teammates. Groups are made up of human beings. Effective groups are able to change course when needed, accommodate family or work responsibilities, and accept that mistakes happen. Members understand that just because someone is having a bad week doesn't automatically mean they are not carrying their weight. Find your space. Some schools, such as Babson College, have study spaces students can reserve for oncampus meetings. And some professors, like Alex Heil, who teaches economics and business at Emmanuel College, give study groups short periods of class time to touch base. But even if you aren't able to make time to meet face-toface, you can have a very successful study group via email. Joyce, for example, says she has done most of her group work this way. "The internet allows for real-time collaboration," she explains. "You can send out works-in-progress for comments and get them back at any hour without going to campus." |
