Art of fooling parents ‘Group Study’. True or false?

Group study! Does it even work? Wondering if self-study is much better than group study? How much honesty do group studies embrace? How many parties do children sneak out for, in the name of group studies? Or, has your child simply surpassed the art of fooling you behind the books?

Don’t worry! Like a coin has two sides, group study has got its own pros and cons. Some children study honestly in group studies. They do take it seriously, especially during exams.

Children go out to a friend’s place and libraries for group study. When the atmosphere is calm, sometimes they even call friends over. Children stay well equipped during group studies. Candies, snacks, books, digest, textbooks, and so on. Sometimes a little picnic is planned in a room with friends. Other times a crazy atmosphere is filled with frustration and fear of exams.

We have come up with a few pros and cons of group study. These points will help to understand the serious and the fun elements of group studies.

Advantages of group study

1. Obligation to study

A group study is formed to discuss the topics and learn new points. Even if some children are unable to focus, the rest of the group uplifts the mood. They come up with different hacks and methods. Sometimes a short break is outlined after every few chapters. Some children, during self-study, find it difficult to concentrate. They end up rescheduling their study time. A group study is beneficial for such children. They feel obligated to study, looking at everyone else being serious.

2. Expands knowledge

Children sometimes decide to study the difficult points after finishing the easy ones. During exams, they don’t have time to revise all the points. In a group study, chances are high, they discuss points learned individually. Here, the forgotten or overlooked points get covered. Someone might even recall the teacher saying, ‘Study this theorem perfectly. It always comes in exams’. There are chances, half the members haven’t even looked at it. Such discussions enable children to cover the requisite portion.

3. Beneficial for every member

Children have the ability to uplift their friends, even the weakest of all. They discuss so that everyone learns important points. Sometimes simply listening to the points can help children write a lengthy page on it. If children have missed a lecture, they can revise and learn new points in group discussions. Here, week students are uplifted and intelligent ones get a chance to revise.

4. Solution for procrastination

Self-study sometimes leads children to delay study. They tick mark the topics they would finish later, during exams. In the whirl of exam fear and time constraint, they usually forget to resvise the marked points.
In a group study, however, if one member mentions a topic everyone targets to learn it. This way the topics aren’t delayed and the portion is covered. Group studies are also scheduled at particular times. Every member must be present on time. This way no matter what mood children are in, they are obligated to study.

5. Learn new skills to study

There are various tricks and methods to remember important points. Sometimes children find it difficult to remember the hard and vast topics. They try reciting it, revising, but nothing works. At last, they end up failing, even ignoring to study that topic.

Group studies are the perfect place to find new skills for studying. Few members of the group have different knacks to remember even the toughest topic with ease. There are shortcuts, songs, even abbreviations to remember any topic. These tricks are shared in group studies. When children find it hard to remember some points, these shortcuts help.

6. Sharing of reference books

The study material everyone uses is different. Some children prefer taking out their own notes, while some prefer digests. There are also ‘In my pocket’, Short notes, most likely question sets that children go for.

All these reference books and notes sometimes cover different topics. In a group study, children get access to a variety of reference books. They correlate, compile these topics and gather wider information.

Group study definitely is an answer for every child who finds it difficult to study alone. It enhances their learning capacity and helps them cover a wider portion of the subjects. Whether it is presentations, projects or preparing for exams, group studies are beneficial and fun.

Disadvantages of group study

1. Not every member is serious

If we see a bunch of children studying together, there is a probability of noticing a trouble monger. This one person has either already studied, or hasn’t opened the book at all. This kid has the dexterity to distract everyone. He/she will lead the group to chat or gossip. These kids even bring the latest movies to watch on someone’s computer. They always try to find some amusement within groups.

These children don’t distract the group purposely. They are just not quite ‘a group study kind of kid’.

2. Distractions

As discussed above, group studies may often lead to fun. Here, not just one member is to be blamed, its the entire group. Children usually start off by chatting, complaining about things. They share their itsy-bitsy tragedies in life.

Mostly, children thoughts are coloured with interesting topics. Topics like human rights, political world, latest music, art, and whatnot. These thoughts often emerge during group studies and distract them away from their goal.

3. Different pace

Some children are not used to slow down their pace of study. If they have decided to finish 4 chapters before group study, they will. They also expect that everyone else must do the same. There is nothing wrong with such ideal expectations. Though not all members are able to keep up. Few members would not even complete their work before arriving for group study. Different paces of learnings become a bottleneck for the group to achieve its study goal.

4. It may be a lie

Children don’t usually take the study that seriously to plan countless group studies. They might just use it as an excuse to party, go for a movie, or do simply nothing. The most seriousness only emerges during exams.

Has your child ever asked you for money while going for group studies? It, certainly, can be a truth, but there is a possibility that children might lie. They are probably studying sincerely, but, there are chances that they go out to party.

Group study is to be taken seriously. With a lack of sincerity, it can turn into a fun party. This can affect the ability of every child in the group, and they might end up scoring less.

What can you do to ensure your child studying in group studies?

Parents care for the future of children. This is one of the reasons why we find the need to keep a track on children. The need to know if children are really studying. We cannot truly know whether group studies are done seriously or not. Even asking children won’t help here. This is universal. If they realize, what they did was wrong, they will lie.

We won’t say that children always lie, or the group study is just a myth. It works, most of the time. What is required is for parents to be aware of what is happening.

Here are a few pointers to help you ensure that your child studies.

1. Discussion

Discussion helps to comprehend how serious children are in group studies. Simple questions like: How many chapters the group has covered yet? How many of those chapters your child has excelled in? will give parents a peek into the actual scenario.

If hints of wastage of time emerge in the conversation, make a mental note of it. Mark the chapters your child claim to have studied. You will get an exact idea of how much of the portion is covered. Now you can make plans to reorient the child to study.

2. Understand the kind of group your child studies with

Every child in a group is different. Not every study group acquires smart children. There are groups that are the combination of both, toppers and average students.

Invite the group to study at your place sometimes. Treat them with snacks and casually discuss their hobbies. This will give you an idea about the kind of friends your child chooses to study with. The point isn’t to keep them apart from your child. Instead, guide your child to choose the right group to study with.

You can also guide the group if they are stuck on a chapter or topic. If unable to do so, you can always find help. After all, our basic goal is to inspire children to study.

3. Self-study

Not always there is a group to study with. Your child must also be able to study alone with the same sincerity. Children have the ability to explore their knowledge and test it. Given the right direction, children can become self-driven and study on their own.

Make sure your child studies apart from the groups as well. If convenient, guide them, be there to help. This might also strike a new friendship between you and your child.

4. Take tests

Making children habitual to taking tests, increases their confidence. They get well aware of the areas to work on. Some children merely understand the concept and write pages about it. While some recite the concepts and are precise in exams. Both methods are unique and helpful.

Schedule a weekly test for children. They will know how much of the concept they are clear with. Until children understand what needs to be worked on, they won’t be encouraged to study more.

Group study isn’t necessarily a weapon child uses to fool parents. It can be helpful to them. Not every group is filled with inactive students. Nor does every group acquires only scholars. Parents simply need to be aware of the group and their honesty towards studies. It is also alright if children are having a little fun along with it.