Study alone or in a group? Pros and cons

Is it better to study alone or in a group? The question is often asked which is the best method to arrive at exam day as prepared as possible.

There is no absolute best method, there are certain factors to consider whether you decide to study alone or in a group, such as one’s predisposition, the type of subject one has to study or even simply whether there are other colleagues preparing the same exam.

The important thing is to understand which approach is most congenial to you.

Whether you decide to study alone or study together, there are pros and cons to keep in mind. Let’s discover them together

Studying in a group is fine but beware of distractions!

Certainly studying in a group can be more stimulating and fun, but it is very easy to fall into distractions. A study day risks turning into a day of chatting and conviviality. 

How can you avoid wasting a day?

Plan with your colleagues a schedule to follow, including breaks to switch off and relax your mind.

You can suggest using a timer, setting the time to dedicate to study and the time to dedicate to leisure. 

Studying alone with maximum concentration. But the comparison?

Have you decided to study alone, because you concentrate better, and you are able to proceed more quickly with your studies? That’s all very well, but you have no way to compare yourself with others.

When preparing for an exam this is a very important thing to do: you can evaluate different points of view, understand notions of a certain complexity or exchange notes taken during lectures. 

You can decide to study alone in the initial phase, where you need to follow your own study method. Once you have the knowledge, it will be easier for you to organise group study days to confront your colleagues and go over the parts that are more complicated and on which you have doubts to clarify.

Do you suffer from exam anxiety? Studying in a group helps you face the exam with more serenity.

You are not alone, many students suffer from exam anxiety, especially when it comes to an oral exam where you come face to face with the professor. Studying with others can help you face that moment with more serenity. 

Schedule days with a colleague to simulate the day of the exam, alternating in the professor-student roles. By doing so, you can realise what notions you still don’t have clear and, above all, you will have the opportunity to expound with greater fluency. You will see that on exam day you will feel more confident. 

Do you want to overcome your oral exam anxiety? Read our article How to cope with an oral exam: 5 methods to overcome anxiety.

Are you an independent person who wants to manage your own time and space independently? Then studying alone is the method for you!

Many students prefer to study on their own because they have found a study method that reflects their own style. 

They know how and what to study day by day, thus choosing to remain independent in their studies.

Studying alone, however, does not mean remaining isolated, there are those who find it stimulating to study in an environment populated by other students, such as the library or study rooms where one moves silently and speaks softly.

These environments make it possible to study alone, maintain concentration, but still feel part of a community and have someone to chat to in the downtime.

So is it better to study alone or together?

As we have seen, there are positive and negative aspects to both methods of study. And there is no universal right answer. Each of us is different, we have our own needs and predispositions, some people get the most out of studying alone and others find it more stimulating to study in a group.

The advice we want to give you is to take the positive sides of both study methods. 

Therefore, alternate between days in which you study alone and devote yourself to learning the basics, and days in which you study in a group with your colleagues to review the sections that are more complex and need to be studied in depth.

In-Domus campuses offer perfect environments for both methods. You can decide to study in total solitude in your room or use the study rooms where you can continue to study alone, but with the presence of other residents, or use these spaces to organise group study days.

Live, Study and Feel In-Domus!