How to Study with a Partner: Creative Strategies for Learning Together

Are late-night cram sessions taking a toll on you and making you feel lonely? Then, studying on your own is probably not your cup of tea.??

The good news is:?

You can transform these hours of self-torture into engaging and productive study sessions by finding a study partner.???

In the previous article, we discussed who a study buddy is, how to find one, and what benefits this arrangement offers. Suppose you’ve found a couple of options for studying together – in a virtual space, your college, or school.??

How do you choose the best partner and organize a productive partnership???

Let’s find it out.????

This article examines how to study with friends to make the process more productive and enjoyable. Read on to find your ideal recipe for academic progress for this semester.???

3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Study Buddy???

There are some prompts to help you select an optimal study partner. Ask yourself the following questions and answer them honestly:???

• Are you a lone learner or a team player????
• Are you okay with online collaboration????
• Do you need silence to study effectively????

These questions will enable you to find a person with matching learning preferences so that you can assist each other in the best ways. If you opt for a friend with similar hobbies, the study process may not go as productively as planned.??

Instead:?

Shared interests may even belong to the list of disadvantages of group work, as your discussions of things unrelated to studies may become a serious distraction.???

Choosing the Best Study Partner???

Here are some signs of an effective study partner:?

1. Someone with a similar schedule.?

To make sure you progress effectively, you need to find a study partner who’s available for joint sessions while you are free. That’s the essential availability criteria you can’t ignore, especially when teaming up with strangers through online platforms. Mind your time difference to stay in touch in the time of the day when you’re productive and able to study; don’t set unrealistic goals of waking up at 4 a.m. or studying long past midnight.???

2. Someone organized.?

Don’t forget that the primary goal of studying together is to contribute to each other’s progress and simplify studies. That’s why you must find a partner with a similarly serious attitude and self-organization. They shouldn’t cause additional stress by being non-punctual or messing up with the agreed study timeline.???

3. Someone motivated.?

It’s also essential to find a buddy who is as willing to advance as you are. If you’re partnering only in search of fun ways to go through the course, you may only distract each other from the study process. That’s why joint motives and educational goals are the foundation for effective collaboration.???

4. Someone positive.?

Studies are stressful for everyone, and it’s easy to yield to worries instead of effective studies. The process becomes even more challenging if your study buddy is overly anxious or has low self-esteem and self-evaluation of their academic proficiency. So, partnering with a stress-resilient person who will move on despite challenges is vital. Otherwise, you may get swamped with negativity and avoidable worries.???

5. Someone to complete you.?

When looking for a buddy, you should focus on the skills and knowledge that you lack. In this case, you will supplement each other effectively to address weaknesses and amplify strengths. If you team up with someone with the same educational gaps as you have, the risk is high that you will remain on the same level and unable to offer tangible help.???

How to Study with a Partner: A Step-by-Step Guide???

Now, let’s discuss the algorithm for setting up an effective study partnership, whether online or offline. You need to plan everything rigorously to guarantee that this decision brings you tangible benefits regarding course comprehension and performance.???

• Choose a study space. If you’re studying with a college peer, choose the free college room, dorm, or any other quiet and convenient place for your meetings. If it’s an online study partner, you should still find a peaceful location where you will be able to hold a Zoom or Skype meeting without distractions.????
• Set the timeline. Create a Google doc with the schedule of your planned sessions so that both of you keep pace with the timing and are not late for the agreed-upon meeting. The most irritating moment is when you come to a meeting, and your buddy forgets about it or is desperately late; it’s definitely a bummer for your joint studies’ effectiveness.???
• Set goals. It’s crucial to dedicate some time to prior planning. Discuss your study goals with the study buddy, spot your weaknesses, and make a schedule for addressing all weaknesses and gaps. You may make a list of goals by using the course syllabus; it will be your roadmap for self-improvement.???
• Create a shared resource database. Next, you need to make a digital database of resources and notes you have for the course. It will help you both access more information on the subject and excel in your studies quickly.???

• Make it realistic. Don’t overestimate your resources and dedication; a study marathon can exhaust and demotivate you. So, your study schedule should include not only study sessions but breaks that will reward you for the effort.???
• Get ready. If you study with a buddy, you assume added responsibility for their study progress as well. Thus, it’s vital to come prepared for every meeting. Set some spare time to prepare for the meeting and complete all agreed tasks so as not to let your study partner down.???
• Discuss matters. Effective communication is key for group studies; it’s not enough just to sit side by side with each other and do some tasks silently. You need to discuss the new material, share and debate your understanding of the latest topics, and give evidence supporting your ideas and interpretations. This way, you both will learn and understand the new topics better.???
• Practice peer tutoring. If you or your buddy experience problems with specific subjects or topics, try peer tutoring to get each other to progress. Explain the topic you know well in simple words, give some real-world examples, and prepare a couple of practical tasks to help your peer apply that information.???
• Cross-test each other. It’s essential to check whether you’re really progressing by holding regular tests and quizzes. Use materials available online, such as college tests from previous years, or make your own ones to track your progress and ensure you’re ready for the test in class.???
• Make sure you’re on track. No matter how long your study partnership is, you need to ensure you’re well-prepared for the exam, end of the course, or other end-of-semester tasks. This way, you need to have a clear deadline for the study buddy project, at which you will have new skills and knowledge.???

Find Your Study Mate to Boost Your Progress???

As you can see, studying with a friend may transform your performance and make you a better learner. However:?

The most critical part of the process is to become a good learning partner yourself; you should also motivate and support your study partner.??

Which qualities do you think you have for that, and which ones are you still lacking? Share your insights in the comments.?