Wouldn’t it be nice if during that 3 a.m. cramming session, you could pick up the phone and ask 50 other people in your class — at least one is likely to be up — for help getting through that difficult concept?
Sometimes students take one of our most valuable resources for granted: one another. Every student should make an effort to connect with other students in each of their classes. With dead week upon us, the need for a network of people who can help us finish the semester strong is more apparent than ever. Technology is making it easier than ever to connect, yet many people aren’t taking advantage of it.
The most popular phone app to keep a student connected with others is GroupMe. This app allows you to add other people into a group message, and it also gives you the option to direct message specific individuals if you need to. GroupMe can allow groups of up to 200 members, and you don’t have to get a person’s phone number to add them; simply search their name, or add their email address.
It is extremely helpful, especially in a student’s most difficult classes. It gives students a chance to study together and help each other without having to go through the trouble of arranging a meeting time and place.
Some people are hesitant to use apps like GroupMe because the notifications can become a nuisance, but users can turn the notifications off or pause them if they become annoying.
Another great online application students often overlook is Google Documents. Recently, a post went viral on social media showing a group of students using Google Documents to create one big forum where everyone could post their notes. Students at our University should take advantage of this. It could eliminate those annoying mass e-mails asking for notes, and it would make life a lot easier if you have to miss class.
However, this great technology still can’t completely replace the old fashioned study group. Scheduled meetings can help you stay on track and cut down on procrastination. They also allow students to build off one another by allowing students to get help in their weakest areas and give help in their strongest areas. Some people worry that study groups might be too distracting, but they can be productive if the group takes care to only select other students who are just as focused as they are.
Whether it’s through apps or traditional study groups, you can only benefit from surrounding yourself with other dedicated students. Forming groups with other people in your class has benefits beyond just studying — it’s an opportunity to network with peers in your major who can help you long after graduation.
A large part of the college experience is learning from professors and classmates. Who better to learn from than people with the same interests as you? When next semester starts, make sure you make an effort to get acquainted with people in all of your classes. When the next dead week comes around, you’ll be glad you did.
Osie Evans is a 21-year-old English junior from Natchitoches, Louisiana.