Should I Form An LSAT Study Group?

Should I Form An LSAT Study Group?

Studying for the LSAT can be a solitary task. If you do not attend a large class or have friends taking the exam, you may spend a lot of time alone. Many people think that forming an LSAT study group is a good way around this. Some, however, worry about the negative impact of studying with others. In this post, we cover the pros and cons of using an LSAT study group.

Should I Form An LSAT Study Group?

Pros

1. Can help you master the material quicker.

The primary benefit of an LSAT study group is to provide a pool of minds to master the material. Challenges that seem difficult on your own are easier to deal with when you have others who can help explain them to you. Everyone gets stuck on some part of the LSAT occasionally. Using study groups to help get over your mental blocks quickly is a great way to efficiently prepare for the exam.

2. Can provide structure to keep you on track.

An LSAT study group can help keep you accountable. If you know you need to master material so you can actively participate the next day, you are much more likely to keep up with your private study. In addition, a good LSAT study group isn’t likely to let you slack off during sessions either.

3. Helps you develop a support group.

This may seem a bit cliche, but having an LSAT study group can provide tangible benefits outside of covering the material. As mentioned in the opening paragraph, preparing for the LSAT can be isolating. An LSAT support group can take some of the loneliness, frustration, and anxiety out of studying. Sometimes it helps to know that you are not the only one struggling with the material. It may also help to have a shoulder to cry on or someone who understands your frustrations.

Cons

1. Competitive

A good reason to avoid joining an LSAT study group is if you, or someone in your potential group, are competitive. This does not always manifest itself in obnoxious or condescending behavior. However, anything that takes your mind off the LSAT material, or makes you feel belittled in any way, is best to avoid. Competitive study partners generally bring out the worst in people. Often, they make the other members of their group feel slow. If you yourself, or someone you know, has these personality traits, it’s best to avoid interacting with them when studying for the LSAT.

2. Can provide a lot of distractions

This is especially true of study groups where many of the members are very good friends. It’s very easy to allow personal distractions, gossip, and a million other things into a study session. Therefore, if you do join an LSAT study group, make sure you set clear parameters that the LSAT should be the focus. Try to steer side conversations back towards the topics at hand. If you cannot, it’s probably best to study on your own.

3. Pacing

An LSAT study group can also be a bad idea if you find yourself rushed or bored to tears by the pace. Everyone has their own study pace. If your LSAT study group is going to quickly, you are unlikely to glean much from the sessions. If it moves to slowly, you’ll be bored by the slow progression. So, if you find that your study group sessions aren’t ideal. it’s probably best to find another group or study on your own.

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