Developing a Study Buddy
College is not something that you can do on your own. The sooner you can connect with someone else who has a similar schedule, the better off you will be. One reason some students might not do too well their first semester is simply because they didn’t have somebody there for them to help them study. Acquiring friends that have some of your classes is always good because one of you might know something, while the other does not and vice versa. When a group of people study together, they typically all do well because all the information is circulating around the group. You don’t even have to be in the same room with your study partners. Facebook, Skype, and systems are readily available to you now so studying is a little bit easier if you can’t physically be with your partners. The following are some ways that you can use a study buddy.
- Help each other stay focused. – Often you and your study buddy can keep each other from missing classes. The same applies for doing homework. Do homework with each other and help each other with problems. This can help both you and your study buddy because you can learn better from your peers.
- You can share notes with your study buddy. – Many students find it useful to recopy their notes. When you do this with a study buddy, you’re more likely to have a complete set of notes. Also make them with formulas, rules, and terms for math and science classes. Then quiz each other using these flashcards.
- You and your study buddy can prepare for tests together. – What works really well is to have each of you prepare likely test questions for the other. Then practice doing these tests under usual test conditions. Just the process of making up test questions can be a great way to learn the material.
- Study together. – Often having a study buddy can reduce the challenge of getting started on homework. You need to set a time and place each day for getting together. When you make a commitment to study with another, you don’t want to let down your friend. Thus you are more likely to actually do your work.
Who should you pick as a study buddy? From the four individual characteristics listed below, identify the one most like you.
| Type 1: | You like to be in charge. You are decisive. You are not very sensitive to what others think about you or what you do. |
| Type 2: | You are very outgoing. You like being around other people. You are very sensitive to what others think about you and what you do. |
| Type 3: | You are very dependable. You have a routine that you follow. You are very determined and persistent. You feel very guilty if you don’t do what is assigned to you. |
| Type 4: | You like rules to follow. You are driven to do what is asked of you. You are very organized. |
Now here’s some guidance on who you are compatible to work with and who would not be a good study buddy.
| Type | Try to study with | Avoid Working with |
| 1: | Type 3 | Types 1, 2 |
| 2: | Types 3, 4 | Types 1, 2 |
| 3: | Types 1, 2, 3, 4 | None |
| 4: | Types 1, 2, 3, 4 | None |
When you look at the above table, you will notice that your best friend may not be a good study buddy. That’s often the case. People you enjoy hanging out with may not be the best people to study with.
Another piece of advice for choosing a study buddy is to pick someone who has the same major as you. That way, you two share similar classes and can get help from one another. You two will already have something in common, and therefore you will grow to become friends for a long time. From this friendship, you can get advice and help each other out. Usually if you find a good study buddy then you two will do well in the classes you have together and become really good friends. A good study buddy would be a good roommate also..
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