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Having
trouble understanding classwork? Get help by joining
a study group!
Study Groups
Can Work For You!
By Feona Sharhran Huff
February 2001
The CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- You never
professed that college chemistry was your favorite
subject. Judging by your first three test scores,
it's probably safe to assume that you and chem'
combine for a combustible reaction. However, this
class is a graduation requirement and there's
no way to avoid it. Your only options are to fail
miserably and repeat it the next semester, drop
the class and wait until your advisor makes
you re-register, or join a student study group.
Straight up -- failing
is not an option that your grade point average
(which, by the way, isn't looking too bad these
days) can afford. As for dropping out of chemistry,
that's not going to solve the problem; it will
only prolong the inevitable. So what about that
study group you've been hearing about? Give it
a shot! You'll find that your chances of understanding
chemistry concepts and doing well on homework
assignments and exams will be better. Decide to
help yourself succeed in chem' class by reaching
out to the study group.
Here's how:
Let the group know you'd
like to join them. There's no need to be ashamed
because chemistry isn't your best subject. Think
about it... if the members of the study group
were whiz kids, they wouldn't need to form a group
in the first place. Give them a breakdown of your
weakest areas and even your strongest ones so
you can all learn from each other's areas of expertise.
Someone in the group may even benefit from knowing
that you're a pro at mixing all sorts of solutions!
Find out when they study.
If the group generally gets together every Thursday
at 6 p.m. to study, but you have a major class
at that same time, the session isn't going to
benefit you. But, let's say some of the members
meet up in the library at noon on Mondays, this
is your ticket to chem' study since you only have
one class on Mondays and it ends at 11:30 a.m.
You have the rest of the day to study, so make
your time off work for you.
Be productive once you
join the group. You quickly realize that the
members of the group are cool to be around. You
all share a lot in common, from the type of music
you like to the hang-out spots you frequent, to
the movies you watch... stop right there! Stay
focused. Keep in mind that the purpose of a study
group is to study. It is not a social club. Leave
the fraternizing until after you've mastered chapters
one through six (and aced those exams!).
Once you make up your mind
to get help and take advantage of a study group,
you may be surprised when your chem' instructor
hands you your graded final exam and end-of-semester
class assignment. You'll know that A and B not
only stands for Acids and Bases, but for your
grades for the semester, too!
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