Online Study Groups: A Quick Guide
What You Need to Get Started
Before you start a study group session, it’s a good idea to lock down most of the logistics. A strong logistical foundation helps to keep the group moving!
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Start your online study group with 3-5 people.
A group of this size is easier to manage logistically and avoids the intimidation that we may experience in large groups. -
Identify the online resource you will use for meeting together.
You are welcome to use any video conferencing software you’d like, but Zoom and Microsoft Teams are popular choices. -
Get organized virtually.
We suggest keeping the contact information of your group members in a shared digital folder (OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.). This folder can also be used to store meeting notes, resources, and any products created in the study session. -
Make sure everyone is aware of the time, location, and purpose of the study group
For example, when finals are just around the corner, your study group may decide to discuss practice problems or talk through important diagrams. Just remember to keep the sessions productive!
Now that we’ve covered the logistics, let’s move on to creating a safe space!
Developing a Good Group Dynamic
Part of developing a good group dynamic involves setting clear expectations about how the group interacts. When everyone is on the same page, we often feel more motivated to get to work! Here are a few tips:
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Take some time to introduce yourselves and lighten the mood with an icebreaker or two.
Even if finals are approaching, taking 10-15 minutes to shift the atmosphere can ease everyone’s nerves. -
Create a group contract.
In order to create a safe space, spend some time creating a group contract that outlines the values of the group (being helpful, giving constructive feedback, respecting boundaries, etc.) and how to handle potential conflicts.
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Create buy-in by including everyone on important decisions and through assigning roles.
Some important roles are a group coordinator, note-taker, resource organizer, and discussion facilitator. The group coordinator sends emails and meeting invitations out and the resource organizer maintains the shared digital folder. Feel free to rotate these roles once the logstics are in place and allow everyone to pick a role that works for them. The bottom line is this: share responsibility.
Creating a Space for Learning
Once you all are clear on the expectations you have for each other, it’s time to create a space where learning can thrive! In a virtual environment, you may decide to get a little creative by using online applications like Coggle, BitPaper, and YouTube, but our advice below is still applicable:
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Work with your group to develop a growth mindset toward your course material.
The mindset of your study group is important for maintaining motivation as you work through course content. Even amidst the challenges, it’s important to think constructively about your course material. -
Identify material that makes for good discussion.
One of the benefits of study groups is the opportunity to check your understanding by talking to each other. Take some time to identify the concepts, relationships, or important equations in your course and discuss them together. -
Choose study activities that will train higher order critical thinking skills.
It’s likely that you will have to apply, analyze, and evaluate ideas on your exam, so practice these same thinking skills with your group. Annotating diagrams, explaining solutions, drawing concept maps, and creating study guides are great ways to improve your critical thinking skills! Feel free to get a little creative as well!
Final Thought: Social Accountability is Key
Aside from the opportunity you have to multiply your resources, develop higher order thinking skills, and become a more effective learner, study groups are great for maintaining a sense of connection with peers and for improving motivation. As long as the goals and expectations of the group are clear, every student is likely to achieve because they are heard, valued, and held accountable.
Feel free to talk with any of our learning specialists about how to get a study group started and work collaboratively toward your learning goals by scheduling an appointment through MyWeingartenCenter.
Written by: Gabriel Angrand, former STEM Learning Specialist
Updated by: Julianne Reynolds, Associate Director of Academic Support and Learning Specialist for International Students
Cover image by Neysa Porter, Operations Supports Coordinator
Strategies for Online Learning
Treat Online Coursework Like a “Real” Course
When it comes to online learning, you need to have the discipline to sit down and say, “I am going to work on this,” as well as a plan to follow through. Though online courses provide more flexibility, such as allowing you to decide when to listen to lectures or review PowerPoint slides, you can’t constantly push off doing these things. To stay on track with your class, consider creating a structured schedule by setting aside specific days and times each week to engage with your online coursework.
Hold Yourself Accountable
When taking an in-person class, the instructor will often remind you of due dates for assignments, exams, papers, etc. This might not always be the case when taking online courses. Be proactive and look ahead in the syllabus to identify any important due dates. Using a semester calendar can help you keep track of important dates and deadlines, allowing you to see everything in one organized place. This way, you will be able to avoid starting papers/projects at the last minute and also give yourself time to communicate with your professor about any questions you may have about the assignment.
Practice Time Management
Create a weekly or daily schedule that you follow, designating certain hours each week or day to reading, watching lectures, completing assignments, studying, and participating in discussion groups/posting on discussion boards for each of your online classes. Set reminders in your phone, planner, or Google calendar to help you stay on track. Ask yourself the following questions as self-assessment: How much time am I dedicating to course reading and assignments? Am I regularly underestimating the time it’s taking me to get things done, forcing me to cram the nights before the exams? A little self-reflection and adjustment can go a long way.
Create a Regular Study Space and Stay Organized
It’s very tempting to stay in your nice, comfortable bed while watching an online lecture. But ask yourself: Is that really the best setup for active learning? Setting up a dedicated space to complete your schoolwork will help you stay focused on the lessons, keep your materials organized, and get you into the right frame of mind for active learning. This space could be a home office, the kitchen table, or any other space that will discourage you from getting distracted…or dozing off.
Make sure your study space includes the following:
• A high-speed internet connection
• The required books, materials, and software for the course
• Headphones for listening to lectures or discussions (especially important in shared spaces)
Eliminate Distractions
Netflix, YouTube, text messages, and social media are just some of the many things that can be a significant distraction while taking online courses. Identifying your distractors will help you plan how to avoid them when working on your online classes. One suggestion to lessen these distractions is to turn off your phone before starting your coursework. This way, you won’t have to worry about it buzzing with a notification every few minutes. Another tool to combat online distraction is to install website blockers on your internet browser. Two programs you can consider are Just Focus and OneTab, which can help eliminate distractions by blocking the apps or websites that tend to compete for your attention.
Figure Out How You Learn Best
Not everyone learns the same way, so think about what types of information help you best grasp new concepts and employ relevant study strategies. If you’re a visual learner, for example, print out transcripts of the video lectures to review. Learn best by listening? Make sure to build time into your schedule to play and replay all audio and video-based course content.
Utilize Your Network
You may feel that you’re on your own when taking an online class. Don’t hesitate to form chat/study groups using platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp, or FaceTime to keep in contact with your classmates. Joining co-working groups with fellow students, attending program-sponsored events, and meeting with your professor during virtual office hours are all great ways to stay connected. Remember, you’re not alone! By actively reaching out and engaging with others, you can build a strong support system that inspires success and reminds you that you’re all in this together.
Meet with a Learning Specialist
Learning Specialists are available to meet with you, either by telephone or virtually through Zoom, when you are taking an online course as part of an otherwise in-person program. Learning specialists can help guide you through the transition to online classes and also help you with time management, study skills, project management, etc. Please visit MyWeingartenCenter to schedule an appointment. [Note: Learning Specialists can’t meet with students enrolled in online-only programs.]
Written by Jordan Yanoshik, Associate Director of Academic Support and Learning Specialist for Students with Disabilities
Cover image by Neysa Porter, Operations Supports Coordinator
Structure Your Unstructured Time
Online courses can involve a mix of synchronous and asynchronous work. Asynchronous work can feel liberating in the sense that you can decide when to do it. That’s also what makes it more challenging, especially when you take into consideration the very real and human need to feel motivated to sit down and work, and the strong tendency to procrastinate when deadlines seem flexible. Let’s talk about building routines and intentional habits that will help you get your online work done.
Create a weekly schedule.
Use a calendar to block out time for classes, self-care, and studying. Having all this information on your calendar reduces daily decision fatigue, helps you be more realistic about how much time you have, and ultimately makes you more likely to get things done.
Plan for the semester.
Gather all your deadlines, exams, and key dates at the start of the semester. Also note any significant personal obligations, such as planned trips. This helps you see busy weeks ahead of time and plan accordingly.
Set weekly goals.
Set personal weekly goals (not just deadlines from your instructors) to stay on track with readings, assignments, and online participation.
Work in shifts.
Schedule short, defined amounts of time to work on tasks because it’s easy to get distracted during open-ended study sessions. Set specific study goals for each shift. At the end of the shift, assess your progress and set goals for the next shift.
Plan your study breaks.
Don’t wait until you’re exhausted or frustrated—schedule breaks ahead of time. A planned 15-minute stretch or snack break can help you return to work with energy. Check out this post on Intentional Study Breaks for more ideas.
Use external accountability.
Meeting with study partners online, setting up virtual check-ins with your instructors or program staff, or even just telling a friend your goal can help you follow through.
Just get started.
Waiting for motivation doesn’t work. Start with just 10 minutes—even a small action builds momentum.
Written by: Julianne Reynolds, Associate Director of Academic Support and Learning Specialist for International Students
Cover image by Neysa Porter, Operations Supports Coordinator