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Study buddies

How to work with colleagues to improve the revision experience

Teaming up with others as part of your study and revision effort is recognised as beneficial in many respects. This chapter explores some aspects of this study buddy revision approach. Key topics: What is study buddying? The advantages of study buddying
Key terms Extrovert Introvert MBTI Study buddy

Revising for examinations is a positive experience in lots of ways. It heightens your understanding of your subject and allows you to make connections between different elements of the course. It neednt be a solitary activity and many people find that it improves their learning to work on revision with another person studying the same subject.

What is study buddying?

The study buddy concept is based on a mutual arrangement between two or more students studying the same or similar subjects, who agree to support each other in their learning by conducting joint study sessions within their revision timetable (Ch 8). Examples of suitable revision activities include:
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meeting together to work through tutorial questions, comparing answers and analysing the correct approach; studying a topic as individuals and then meeting at an agreed time to quiz each other on the topic;
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speaking to each other about a specific topic (even giving a mini lecture); sharing resources, such as missed lecture notes, handouts, website and textbook information; sharing advice about modules that one person may have passed but the other(s) not; working together on formulating answers to questions on past papers; providing psychological support when one of you needs motivating or stimulating to study.

This technique probably suits some personality types better than others (see smart tip below and Table 4.3). Youll need to decide for yourself whether it will be appropriate for you and, crucially, youll need to find someone else who thinks the same way. smart tip

Personality types and learning styles most suited to study buddying

The MBTI divides people into either extrovert or introvert types, but individuals from both types can be suited to study buddy learning strategies. If, having carried out the questionnaire in Tables 4.14.3, you identify yourself as one of the following types, then it might be worthwhile trying this approach: ENIJ, ENFP, ENTJ, ESFJ, ESFP, INFJ, INFP, ISFP, ISTJ.

The advantages of study buddying

The study buddy approach works very much on the principle that two or more heads are better than one and that the process of working together to tackle problems, key issues or difficult areas can assist all those involved to learn more effectively.
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You can play to your strengths by helping with areas where you are stronger; and you can receive help from others to strengthen your weaker areas. Explaining your understanding to someone else can help to clarify the issues, process or technique in your own mind. It can also help the other party, who may learn better when things are explained by
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a peer, because the language is less formal. They may also feel more comfortable about asking questions and seeking clarification or become less anxious about making mistakes.
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The pair or group dynamic can have a fun or competitive element that motivates some people; it can also generate confidence from knowing that others feel the same way as you. At a practical level, making an appointment to meet with someone else means you are more likely to tackle revision.

Some practical ideas for buddy activities

smart tip

Different partnerships work in different ways; here are some tried and tested strategies that students have found useful.
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Partners work on problems individually for a set amount of time and then reconvene to compare method and answers. Student A uses a white-board or flipchart to explain a process to partner, Student B. Then they reverse roles for another topic. Partners make up a bank of short-answer topics by writing the question on one side of an index card and the answer on the other side. They test each other on random cards drawn from the pile.

Some advice worth remembering:

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Be sure that you dont spend too much time supporting others and thereby neglecting yourself. Make sure you and your study buddies focus on studying rather than chat. Dont assume that study buddying is an easy option to avoid the hard grind of studying alone solo study may, in practice, be a part of the study buddy process.

How can you find a buddy?

The obvious starting points are friends from your class, members of a tutorial group or lab partners. You could also simply ask around before or after lectures or put up a request on an online discussion board. A lecturer might be willing to make an announcement on your behalf, asking anyone interested in forming a study group to come forward at the end of the lecture. Youll be surprised how many others will be interested in this activity.

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Practical tips for working with colleagues to improve your revision

Arranging meetings. Pick a mutually acceptable time and locate a venue that will allow you to sit and discuss your work without disturbing others. Ensure that you turn up with all the relevant notes, calculators, worked examples and resources like dictionaries as appropriate. Its best to aim for a neutral venue. Groupwork areas may be available in your library or you may find study rooms in the library, department, hall of residence or student association. You may be able to take over tutorial or small lecture rooms (check the booking system first): these have the advantage of having whiteboards and flipcharts, which you can use to note down points or give explanations to each other. Ask your tutors or the departmental secretary if you cant find anywhere suitable they may be able to help. Set up ground rules. Agree on how you will work together, for example, start and stop times, and limiting coffee breaks to no longer than 15 minutes. Stick to what you all agreed. Make sure that its clear that if anyone feels that the strategy is not working for them, then they can walk away from it without fear of offending the others. Tackling the revision. Decide on the areas of study for each session and stick to these. Draw up a wish list of aims/topics at the beginning of each session and cross them off as you complete them. Seeking help. If, between you, an answer is not found, then go to your lecturer or tutor to ask for some guidance. Teaching staff are usually delighted when students show their interest in their topics by asking questions, so you shouldnt feel nervous about asking for some help. It is actually useful to lecturers to know when students are finding particular areas difficult, because they then know that they may need to review how they tackle it in lecture, tutorial or lab contexts. Short or long sessions? Working intensively for a shorter time is often better than a prolonged session where people end up chatting about other things. Keep focussed.

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GO And now . . .
6.1 Think about how you can set up a study buddy group. Who might you approach? What subjects would the pair/group cover? Where could you meet? How much time do you have to work in this mutually supportive way? 6.2 Decide which of your revision topics would best suit the study buddy approach. It may be more appropriate to learn some material by yourself, and tackle other topics within a group. 6.3 Think about extending buddy activities beyond the revision period. These forms of working relationships could apply at any time in your studies, not just before exams.

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