So, who makes the best study buddy? If you’re not sure, this article has everything you need to know about How to choose the Best Study Buddies! We’ll start with the most important trait of all–attitude.
From there, we’ll look at some other things you should keep in mind when choosing a study partner like work ethics, academic performance and availability. Read on to get started!
Compatibility
You might be surprised by who makes a great study buddy.
If you’re looking for someone to help you stay awake in class, or provide some distraction-free studying, then your study partner doesn’t need to be someone that shares your major.
In fact, it might be best if they don’t share your major so that you can help each other out when one of you is really struggling in a certain subject.
They also don’t have to share your interests, but their interest should complement yours.
For example, if you’re not interested in sports and always fall asleep during those classes, pick a friend with an interest in sports and watch them play while you doze off.
If you’re both good at math, consider solving difficult problems together and trading answers.
Whatever you do, just make sure you choose someone who will work well with you as a study partner before picking up any books.
So take this quiz to see how compatible you are with friends you know:
How long does it take for this person to understand something?
What’s this person’s most favourite movie genre? Who’s their favourite historical figure? What’s the first name of this person’s favourite sibling?
Similar Learning Styles
Some people may be more inclined to work better with certain study buddies because of their similar learning styles.
For example, auditory learners might find a good match in someone who is also an auditory learner.
Verbal learners might mesh well with other verbal learners, and kinesthetic learners might enjoy working with another kinesthetic learner.
There are so many potential combinations to explore and test out – you just need to get creative!
One group that can be beneficial for any type of learner is known as the tandem pair.
Tandem pairs are made up of two or three individuals who work together as partners, but one individual works together with two or three different partners at once.
The main person reads the material aloud while they partner listens, then they switch roles.
These partnerships create a sense of community among everyone involved and allow everyone to learn from each others strengths.
Some students may not feel comfortable being paired up with someone else, but this doesn’t have to be a negative thing.
If you want to meet new people and form relationships outside of your class, try joining clubs or teams outside of school hours; this way you’ll still have time for your studies when it’s time for homework!
Trustworthy
In order to find a great study buddy, you need to look for someone who is reliable and trustworthy.
Someone who will be there for you no matter what, and someone who won’t give up when times get tough.
A good candidate should be someone with similar interests and goals, so that he or she can help motivate you to keep going.
Also make sure that your prospective study buddy has enough time to devote to studying and not have other commitments that will interfere with your plans.
To avoid scheduling conflicts, set up specific times each week where you’ll work together.
If the two of you are both busy during these designated times, try arranging for weekly check-ins to see how things are progressing.
That way, if one of you doesn’t end up having any time to study together, it’s less likely that either one of you will feel discouraged or lose momentum.
For best results, always choose a study partner who makes learning enjoyable and fun instead of difficult and frustrating.
Be mindful of people who always want to do their own thing and don’t seem like they’re willing to put in much effort.
You might also want to stay away from those who you know will get frustrated too easily and start yelling.
It’s important that your study buddy isn’t just tolerating being with you but actually enjoys being around you too!
Good Communication
Communication is key in any good relationship, and the same can be said for a study buddy.
Studies have shown that students who have a study buddy are more likely to succeed academically.
Good communication is not just about having someone there to help you with your work—it’s also about being able to ask questions without feeling embarrassed or judged, and being able to provide feedback in return.
A good study partner needs to understand your needs as a student and always be available when you need them.
They should know how to motivate you, and keep you going.
They should also know how much time it will take for an assignment so they won’t pressure you into doing more than necessary.
But most importantly of all, they need to want what’s best for you – because at the end of the day it’s YOUR future they’re helping shape.
If they are thinking only of themselves, then they probably aren’t the right person to help you achieve your goals.
It takes courage to reach out and make friends but the rewards are worth it.
The best part is, unlike some other relationships, you’ll never lose this one: even if things go bad between the two of you during your studies, you’ll still be lifelong friends;
