This reminds me of my favorite video on YouTube . You are a pack of wildebeest, just chilling out by the water, trying to score a good grade in organic chemistry. But you are being hunted by pride of hungry lions (your professors) who would like nothing better to make a quick snack of the weakest one of you. After crouching in the brush, the lions suddenly pounce (pop quiz) and grab a hold of the smallest one of you (the student with the hardest course load).
Two things can happen at this point: Either the rest of the pack of wildebeest will cut their losses and try to save themselves or they can go back and heroically battle the lions to rescue their fallen colleague. I am not going to ruin the video if you have not already viewed it, but I think you already know what happens.
More than just helping others, studying in packs provides a number of other benefits:
1) Studies have shown over and over that studying in groups directly leads to higher grades for all participants.
2) Studying in groups is generally more enjoyable for people, which leads to more time spent on the subject.
3) If you are weaker in one area of the course, you have the opportunity to have a peer explain it to you. Many students are more likely to understand a peer’s explanation over a stuffy professor’s.
4) If you are stronger in one area of the course, you will strengthen your overall understanding of chemistry by teaching it to someone else.
Of course, when you are choosing study partners on the Serengeti, you need to be very careful to stay away from the jackals. These are the students that are more parasite than human and will just leach off of your talents. They will come to study sessions unprepared and expect you to teach the entire course to them. They are more Succubus than man and will not help you much. We suggest finding study partners that are interested in a good grade and are willing to put in the time necessary to achieve high marks in the course.