Being part of a study group requires a level of accountability to the other group members. A group will have a study schedule that everyone is expected to adhere to and classmates are required to have notes and coursework prepared ahead of time to contribute to the study time. For someone who tends to procrastinate and study at the last minute, a study group schedule can help put them ahead of the game. In addition, having peers to work with can motivate the entire group with some healthy competition, since everyone wants to be an asset and not dead weight.
The best study groups use the strengths of each of their members. They can provide an opportunity for interesting debate and the chance to learn new study tools that work for their peers. Some students may be more knowledgeable in an area that others find confusing, so there is a unique opportunity for students to teach each other. If everyone is struggling with a part of the work, it may be an opportunity for the group to figure it out together. Also, in teaching what you know, you fine-tune your own skills.
As helpful as a study group can be, it can also throw a student off track. If the study group is disorganized, doesn't stick to the scheduled start and stop times, does not cover the material scheduled or frequently gets off the subject for a more social time, the study time can become a waste. The benefit of the group comes from covering the material on a realistic schedule. Any group members that do not support that key objective can make studying with classmates a negative.
Study groups that are composed of individuals with the same level of commitment to the study task and have a high degree of knowledge about the material can provide a valuable exchange of information. But if some participants are significantly more knowledgeable and motivated than other classmates, studying with the group may turn into a negative for them. If some classmates are behind on the material or have misinformation on the subject, they may pass that erroneous information on to the rest of the group. In addition, students with busy schedules may find it difficult to organize their time around the schedule of the group.