“I think it’s really important for people that are joining a study group or forming a study group that they’re really honest with themselves and with one another about what their goals and objectives are…If you all don’t have at least one shared reason why you’re there, that can really lead to a lot of discord.” — Dr. Jim Culhane
On the STATMed Podcast: Pros and Cons of Group Studying in Med School
“So I think it’s a double-edged sword in a lot of ways. There is a mixed bag. It depends on how you use the tool.” – Dr. Jim Culhane
How to Create Effective Study Group Strategies
Surrounding yourself with people that will challenge and provide you with feedback on your performance can help keep you motivated and on track with your learning. Study groups can also act as an important support network.
When to Leave a Study Group in Med School
When it comes to study groups, it’s essential to know when to cut your losses and walk away. In the final section of our series, we break down why a med student may need to change study strategies or find a new study group.
How to Set Up a Med School Study Group for Success
What do you do if a med school study group isn’t working for you — but you really want (or need) it to? There are several ways to make this study strategy work for you, but it’s probably not going to happen organically.
Group Studying: Effective or Just Familiar?
Some people are in study groups because they don’t have any other ideas about learning and studying and maximizing their time.
Are Study Groups a Good Fit for You?
But the reality is this: While study groups work for some people, they are not a good fit for everyone. My take is, if study groups don’t work for you, don’t sweat it. Don’t feel guilty. It’s not your fault! And don’t waste your time trying to make a bad learning modality work for you.
Identifying the Problem: Test-Taking Strategies for Medical Boards
“What frustrated me was that I didn’t have words to articulate the mistakes that I knew I was making. And so it was like finally, I can identify the problem, and once you identify the problem, you can do something about it.” – DR. JT
One Surgeon’s Top 3 Lessons Learned About How to Study Effectively
“I would say the overarching thing was that I was very passive in how I would study. So that meant just reading or rereading material that I had read a thousand times over and just thinking, okay, well, maybe it’ll stick this time.” – Dr. JT
From Struggling with Boards to Success: One Surgeon’s Story
“Your step score shouldn’t completely define you or dictate what you do. And so if this is something that you really, really want to do, and you know that beyond a shadow of a doubt, you should just go for it, and you should make every effort to make yourself a good applicant, despite the fact that you may not have the best test scores.” – Dr. JT