Page 273 - Keys to College Success

■ Determine a regular schedule and leadership rotation. Determine what your group
needs and what the members’ schedules can handle. Try to meet weekly or, at the
least, every other week. Rotate leadership among members willing to lead.
■ Create study materials for one another. Give each person a task of finding a piece of
information to compile and share with the group. Teach material to one another.
■ Be prepared, every time. If everyone is given a piece of the puzzle, the only way to
complete the puzzle is for everyone to come with ideas and materials in hand.
■ Share the workload and pool note-taking resources. The most important factor
is a willingness to work, not knowledge level. Compare notes and fill in missing
information.
■ Set your phone aside. Texting, talking, and surfing Facebook during your study
group meeting distracts you as well as others, and without paying attention you
won’t benefit from the interaction. Unless it is an emergency, get back to your
contacts later.

Getting your study group together in person is preferable, but when schedules are
tough or you are taking an online course, coordinate a virtual meeting using online
conferencing technology (Skype, Zoom, Google Hangout) or document collaboration
technology (Google Docs, Dropbox, Quip). To make a virtual meeting manageable,
keep your group small and focused, log on from someplace quiet, and stay off your
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email until after the meeting. Some learning management systems facilitate or link to
online meeting technology; if your course uses an LMS, check it to see what’s possible.

Roommate Relationships
For those of you sharing living quarters with a roommate, the ability to interact effec-
tively with others takes on even greater importance. The experience is an adjustment
for everyone, even if you have shared a room with a sibling in the past or have chosen
to room with a friend (an option at some schools). Even the best of friends may find
that sharing a room brings up conflicts they never imagined in high school. Education
expert Kelci Lynn Lucier offers some ways to manage roommate relations. These sug-
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gestions can apply to suitemates, hallmates, or housemates as well.
Be clear at the start about needs and habits. Maybe
you like to study in a quiet room, or have stuffed animals
you don’t want to be teased about, or keep your things
extremely neat. If you communicate what you need right
away, you may prevent later problems.

Address issues when they are minor. Calmly bring
up small annoyances—too much borrowing of hair
products, or too much noise—before they make you so
crazy that you are unable to control your emotions.

Treat your roommate’s stuff with respect. Ask first
before borrowing or using anything—you would want
your roommate to do the same with your stuff. And
lock the door and windows when you go out—you
aren’t just protecting your own belongings, but your
roommate’s as well.

Be friendly and control your expectations. You and
your roommate may become the best of friends—or not.
Living in close quarters with another person, often one you You may just be acquaintances. You may not get along
didn’t know prior to starting college, can require adjustment
and compromise. very well. Whatever your connection, friendly and respect-
ful behavior will contribute to the best possible experience.

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