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Adapted from Tips on Study Groups,
Academic Support Program, DePaul University College of Law
| Study groups, when they are well structured, can be very valuable in the learning process. They can provide support, discipline, and ready feedback. Study groups are most effective for discussing the material before class, discussing concepts after class, outlining, and reviewing practice exams. However, study groups can also be very destructive and counter productive if they are not well organized, or if the members compete with one another, or if the members are not well matched for each other. If you want to work in a study group, consider the following suggestions: |
| The
ideal size of a
study group is three. |
Study groups with more than three students tend to less efficient and less thorough. In order for the study group to be productive for all the members, each member must have room and time to develop his or her own thinking process and to ensure that he or she understands the material. Therefore, when the groups get too large, the individual members do not get the opportunity to talk as much. |
| First and foremost, members of the study groups should be friends. | They will work very closely throughout the year, and they will work under extremely stressful conditions. Therefore, they must like each other, and they must also respect each other. Members should balance each other. Most students are stronger in one skill than others, or they understand one course better than others, ideally, each member should have different strengths. |
| The members of the study group should agree on certain ground rules. | For example, how will each member conduct him or herself during the study sessions. Will each member take turns facilitating the session? Who will keep the group on task? Who will set the agenda? What happens when a member fails to show up, or is chronically late? How will conflicts be resolved? |
| The study group should have a set meeting time, members should be punctual, and they should have a predetermined agenda. | Many study groups waste valuable time deciding what they should be doing. Have the agenda determined before the meeting so each member can prepare for the meeting. This will ensure that the meeting time is used for learning, and that the members are ready to learn. |
| The study group should never be a substitute for individual learning and understanding. | The key to learning legal reasoning and legal concepts is the process of thinking, not the actual answer. Under no circumstances should members of the study group delegate outlining specific courses or doctrines to one member. Rather, each member should work on his or her own outline, and then use the group as a check, or members of the group can outline the material together. |
| Finally, the study group should periodically evaluate whether they are being effective and efficient. | If the group is not working out, determine what changes are necessary, and then implement those changes. At times, the change necessary is the dissolution of the group. If this occurs, make every effort possible to avoid feelings of ill will toward the members. |
| One of the best uses of a study group is in preparing for exams. | Members of the group can each take a practice exam, and then, they can exchange answers and critique each others. This not only provides a check for the individual members, but also, in reading some else's response, you can see the kinds of writing style that are effective, or not effective, as the case may be. |
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Law School Boot Camp |
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Passing the Bar Supplemental Coaching |
| February 2008 Bar Application Deadline November 30, 2007 |
| July 2008 Bar Application Deadline March 30, 2008 |
