How to Organize an Effective College Study Group Counseling and Psychological Services University Center, Suite 109 counseling@utpa.edu www.utpa.edu/counseling

Why a Study Group? Great way to prepare for exams. Students can teach each other different materials. Groups can reduce study time. Sharing talent. Note taking reinforcement Support system Socializing Cover more ground

Tuckman’s Model of Group Development Bruce WayneTuckman was best known for developing the most influential model of group development. He later added a 5th stage Adjourning. We will review these stages to help you see how groups are developed.

How to Work Effectively in Groups Step 1 Get to know each other. Step 2 Assign roles if the project requires working together in a group for an extended period of time to reach a specific goal. Step 3 Exchange contact information to enable group members to communicate effectively outside of scheduled meetings if the project is long term. Introduce yourselves if you do not already know one another For instance you might designate one person the group leader or facilitator and another the scribe or note taker.

How to Work Effectively in Groups Step 4 Identify the group's goal. Discuss and document the group's goal to make sure you all agree on the primary goal of the group's work. Step 5 Divide tasks into steps and assign each member a specific task to attack long term projects. Step 6 Listen to each other and encourage each other. Discuss and document the group’s goals to make sure you all agree on the primary goal of the group’s work. Often this will go easier if people volunteer for tasks they like to do. 6. Make sure everyone in the group is heard and offer encouragement when others contribute a good idea or perform a task effectively

How to Work Effectively in Groups Step 7 Deal immediately with conflict if it arises. Although difficult to deal with, conflict or discord in a group can undermine the group's objectives. Address any conflicts as quickly as possible. This will allow group members to stay focused on the ultimate goal of the group.

Problem Solving Model 1. Define the Problem 2. Gather Information and Data About the Problem 3. Analyze the Problem 4. Develop Solutions 5. Implement the Solutions 6. Monitor and Measure the Results 7. Adjust as Necessary Many problems can be solved quickly, but sometimes the problem is more complex, requiring a more methodical approach. This model gives all team members a common base from which to begin their problem solving activities.

Guidelines for Getting a Group Together How many? Create a group of four to six people. Who? Pick classmates who seem to share your interest in doing well in class. Look for people who stay alert in class, take notes, asks questions and respond to the instructor’s questions.

Guidelines … Continued Where? Hold study group sessions in a place that is free of distractions and that has room to spread out books and notes. How long? Study groups should meet for no more than 2-3 hours at a time.

Guidelines … Continued When? If possible, try to meet on the same day and time each week. State objectives and goals Knowing what you want to achieve at each session helps the group stay focused and manage time. A designated session leader should state what goals are.

Guidelines …. Continued Be prepared. Before session, be sure to finish your assigned reading, review notes and list topics you want to go over. Bring possible test questions. Take turns teaching When you instruct the group, you not only help the other group members, but also reinforce your own knowledge.

Guidelines … Continued Stay on topic. For each session, assign one member to be the taskmaster. This person’s job is to steer the group members back to the topic if they begin to drift. Take breaks. Schedule 5 minute breaks after every ½ hr. or so of work. End of meeting End each meeting with assignments for each group member

Review of Steps for Effective Study Groups Establish logistics in advance. Date, time, place where meeting will be held. Ask each person to create a mock test question Bring to meeting and explain corresponding answer. Assign a topic to each students before meeting to become “experts”on. Create a document that highlights the most important information. Bring copies for all group members Complete review guides before group meets Bring to group and share your answers. Bring questions to the study group meeting. The group can work together to answer the questions.

Avoid Groupthink Prepare list of questions for the professor. Avoid dead weights. Avoid group members who are too dominant. Don’t be afraid to disagree. Always come to group prepared. Groupthink: Someone in the group comes up with an idea and everyone accepts the idea without considering better alternatives.

Study Break Tips for Exam Week Take a brisk walk or jog. Watch mindless television 3. Read a novel 4. Watch a funny movie 5. Have a study snack.

*Team Building Activity* Plane Crash Scenario Instructions will be provided by presenter.

Group Discussion How did your group reach their decision? What roles did group members adopt? Did they listen to each other? What have you learned about the functions of a group? Each other? What would you do differently next time?

Counseling and Psychological Services University Center, Suite 109 956-381-2574 counseling@utpa.edu www.utpa.edu/counseling