Study Group Information

• You pool your knowledge and experience with that of other students, which improves comprehension and strengthens your understanding of the material.
• Study groups simulate the real world.  By requiring interpersonal skills, such as teamwork and negotiation, and influencing skills, such as understanding organizational culture and sharing leadership, you develop skills that today's employers require.
• Your decision-making and problem-solving abilities grow stronger. Not only will you gain insights into how groups tackle problems, but study groups give you the space to try different decision-making approaches.
• Working with other students provides feedback about your own personal characteristics, which increases your self-understanding and your capacity for self-assessment.  As a result, you become a better leader—and a better follower.
• The professional and creative quality of course projects is higher because you’re combining your knowledge with that of other group members.
• You develop better personal communication skills by observing others' communication methods and by using a variety of interpersonal strategies.  

Forming a Study Group

The First Meeting

• Get acquainted.  You may have already shared some information about yourself at the first workshop, but it never hurts to reintroduce yourself.
• Discuss group roles and expectations. At the first meeting, the group should identify and distribute necessary tasks.  A written record of these assignments reminds people of their responsibilities and keeps the project on track. If problems arise with a non-contributor, this record also provides documentation of tasks the member agreed to complete, but did not.
• Set an agenda. Members need to agree on a schedule for accomplishing project goals. This way, everyone has a clear understanding of the necessary tasks and their deadlines.  Regular group meeting times will also allow members to plan their schedules and inform others ahead of time of possible conflicts.
• Establish ground rules.  Clear policies help the group run smoothly and remain cohesive.  The group should agree on how to handle problems and disagreements that arise.

Developing a Constitution

• Attendance.  Study group meetings are mandatory.  Discuss legitimate reasons for missing a meeting and establish a procedure for notifying others in the group of any expected absence.
• Promptness.  Everyone has busy schedules.  Starting meetings on time ensures they are productive, and ending on time lessens their impact on other responsibilities.
• Participation. Total participation is necessary for the group to achieve its best.  Meetings should promote an environment where everyone can speak freely and listen attentively.
• Assignments.  Establish clear guidelines for assigning tasks and duties to group members.  All members should complete their assigned tasks on time.
• Meeting place.  Groups should agree on a meeting place that is accessible to everyone and conducive to learning.
• Group evaluation. Groups should regularly evaluate their process and performance.  Each meeting should end with a brief, informal assessment of what is working and what needs improvement.  In addition, groups should schedule comprehensive reviews of entire projects.
• Individual evaluation.  Members should evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each other.  Rules should be established so that evaluations are nonjudgmental and all feedback remains positive and supportive.

Choosing a Meeting Location

• Institutional classrooms and study group rooms
• Corporate meeting rooms
• Libraries

• Individual seating for each study group member
• A writing area for each student
• Adequate lighting
• Quiet
• Adequately controlled temperature
• Internet and phone service for access to the university’s library services
• Adequate restroom facilities for both genders
• Adequate parking
• Accessibility for all students