Finding an effective way to study may help your academic results and make the learning process
more enjoyable. Whether you’re at senior secondary school or university, discovering which study
methods work for you can transform the way you approach your projects, homework, coursework,
and dissertations.
For many people, studying with friends is a surprisingly effective way to boost your learning
outcomes. To find out why, take a look at some of the benefits it offers:
1. Stop Procrastinating
Putting things off, or procrastinating, can mean that you don’t leave yourself enough time to
complete your work. Typically, this means you’ll submit work at the last minute and not perform at
your best. For students, procrastination can be a major barrier to success. In one study, 70% of
university students considered themselves to be procrastinators, which highlights just how common
the problem is!
When you have a study buddy, you’ll keep each other accountable. With regular joint study sessions,
for example, you’ll be less likely to postpone doing your work and achieve better results because of
it.
2. Understanding New Concepts
When you’re learning new material, things can come to a standstill if you don’t understand the
concepts or theory behind it. Fortunately, two heads are better than one, which is why studying with
friends can be so useful in this respect.
When you can share your ideas and understanding with other people, you can help them advance.
Similarly, you can benefit from your friends’ knowledge and insight when you’re struggling to get to
grips with a new topic or subject.
3. Learn New Study Techniques
People learn in different ways, which is why there are a variety of different study techniques out
there. 65% of people are visual learners, so using colour-coded notes and images could be an
effective way to boost your retention rates.
Crucially, having a study buddy (or two) enables you to pick up on different study techniques. When
you share your strategies for working or revising, you’ll discover how your classmates are achieving
academic success. By replicating their techniques or varying them to suit your own needs, you could
find a more effective and efficient way to study.
4. Testing and Quizzing Each Other
Tests and quizzes are an easy yet effective way to determine what you know and to identify any gaps
in your knowledge. As well as using tests and quizzes to revise before a test, it can be helpful to
incorporate them into your regular study schedule.
Of course, it can be difficult to test yourself, and someone who doesn’t know the material might not
ask the right questions, which is why a study buddy is the perfect person with whom to share tests
and quizzes!
5. Staying Motivated
When you become demotivated, it can be hard to concentrate and avoid distraction. This ties in with
procrastination and can make it harder for you to hit your targets and perform at your best. Due to
this, staying motivated is essential when it comes to getting the grades you’re capable of and
reaching your potential.
If you have a study buddy, you’ll have their encouragement and help to rely on. Whether they
reassure you that you can achieve the grades you want or give you a talking to when you’re slacking,
a study group can keep you feeling motivated and upbeat.
6. Talking About Material
Around 30% of the population are auditory learners, which means they understand and retain
information more effectively when they hear it. If you fall into this category, discussing your study
materials with a friend can be a highly successful way to improve your academic performance.
From discussing what you’ve been taught in class to reading each other’s work aloud, there are a
variety of ways that studying with a friend can facilitate auditory learning.
7. Sharing Notes
Even if you have a 100% attendance rate, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to note down everything
that a teacher or lecturer says while you’re in class. It’s easy to miss important points that could aid
your understanding of a particular topic or issue.
When you have an established study group, you can share notes and ensure that no one misses out
on potentially critical information. Whether you photocopy handwritten notes or collaborate on a
digital file, sharing notes in this way can have a huge impact on your understanding and retention.
8. Tutoring Each Other
Whatever subjects or courses you’re studying, there are likely to be some areas that you’re not as
confident with. With a study buddy, you can tutor one another at any time. If you’re on the same
program or at the same academic level, you’ll be able to provide each other with the knowledge or
skills that you need.
9. Make Studying a Habit
Learning and memorising information involves a certain level of repetition, so getting into good
academic habits will stand you in good stead. When you have a regular study session in your diary,
you’ll become accustomed to working for a set amount of time on a particular day of the week. This
habit will quickly become engrained and help you to incorporate study time into your routine more
successfully.
10. Share Resources
Without access to the right resources, learning can be a lot harder than it needs to be. From books
to laptops, sharing resources with friends can benefit everyone. Currently, more than 30% of 5–14-
year-olds from disadvantaged communities in Australia don’t have access to the internet at home.
By forming study groups and using local amenities, like the library, students can increase their access
to critical resources and enhance their learning.
11. Making Learning Fun
Studying alone can feel fairly isolating, particularly if you have a big deadline coming up or you’re
preparing for end-of-year exams. However, studies have shown that people learn better when
they’re feeling positive emotions and they retain more information when they’re having fun.
Of course, studying with friends is much more fun than learning alone, which is one of the reasons it
can be such an effective way to improve your understanding and knowledge.
Creating a Study Group
With so many benefits associated with having a study buddy, it’s easy to see why so many students
are choosing to learn as a unit. When you and your study buddies can all optimise your learning by
working together, it makes sense to study in a shared environment. By connecting with friends and
classmates, you can establish your own study group and share your learning experience in a way
that benefits everyone.
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