The Iglu Guide | Blog
Group study vs Solo study: Which one works for you?
Over the course of your educational journey, the chances are you’ll experience a range of different study methods – some of which may work better than others. Maximising productivity and establishing good study habits will have a huge impact on your final results, setting you up well for academic success. But whether you think you’re a solo worker or a team player, learning to get the best out of both environments will help you understand when it’s best to pick one over the other. Here’s what you stand to gain.
Understanding your study preferences
The first task is to fully understand how you best work in terms of environment and style. Some students crave solitude and quiet, in a place where they can fully focus without distraction. Others learn best through discussion and debate. These preferences may also be influenced by the type of work you are doing – group work is ideal for project collaboration, whereas new concepts may benefit from more focused attention. Knowing what you need and how to get it is a sure-fire way to ensure academic success.
The perks of group study
Group study offers students some unique benefits that can really enhance your learning experience.
- Ideal for discussion, brainstorming and embracing diverse perspectives
- Great for tackling complex topics and reinforcing learning objectives
- Potential to encourage a more nuanced approach and broader thoughts
- Allows for immediate feedback and questions
- Improves communication, timekeeping and interpersonal skills
- Encourages accountability and motivation and helps prevent procrastination
- Can build and strengthen friendships while widening social interactions
- Helps international students improve conversational language skills
Top tip: Unwanted distractions are sometimes an issue as you can’t always control the behaviour around you in communal settings. Try and book private group-study rooms, and always pack headphones as a handy deterrent.
Iglu Perk: Our comfy group study zones and shared spaces make it super easy to gather together and stay focused.
The perks of solo study
Many students thrive best when they are firmly in control of their study schedule.
- Flexibility is king – it’s your schedule designed around your needs
- Maximise your availability – work at whatever time suits you best
- Minimal distractions mean more productivity and greater quality output
- Work at your personal pace – you set the speed for every session
- Ideal environment for tackling new concepts, memorising content and managing self-paced learning.
- Helps build discipline and important time-management skills
- Take advantage of online resources to supplement your own study notes
Top tip: Switch up your study locations to keep yourself motivated.
Iglu Perk: With unlimited Wifi and private study spaces, there’s plenty of opportunity to make the most of each study session.
Mixing it up – The best of both worlds
Most students find it works best to mix up all the options with a combination of both group and solo work. There are times when you simply need to be with other students, and times when you’re more productive working alone. Understanding the benefits of both is key to staying motivated and avoiding burnout. By creating a disciplined schedule that combines the two, you really can get the best out of both worlds.
- Breaks up the monotony of the study routine
- Social interactions refresh your thinking and improve your outlook
- A perfect balance of quiet focus and social study
- Challenge your own thinking and prescribed patterns
- Pick and choose what suits you and when
- Draw on your own strengths – and benefit from those of other students
- If your study group gets a little too social, take the opportunity to revert to solo study
How Iglu can help
Living in purpose-built student accommodation makes it all that bit easier, with private study spaces and communal areas easily available. Designed to meet the needs of modern student life, it means you can study for a set period of time in your room, and then easily access a nearby shared space for a group session. You‘re always surrounded by like-minded peers, and our onsite support teams are always available to deliver a helping hand when needed. And when it’s time to get to lectures, our fantastic locations mean there’s less time wasted on travel, and more time invested in what actually matters.
