Q:  What courses are Study Groups offered for?
A:  The groups vary by term, but in general groups are offered for Bio: 171, 172, 225, 305, 310, 311; Chem 130, 210, 215, 230, 260, 302, 451, 452; Phys: 125, 126, 140, 240, and Math 156.  To see the current list of courses for which we are offering groups for click on Groups this Term.

Q:  When and for how long do Study Groups meet?
A:  Study Groups typically meet for two hours once a week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings between the hours of 4 PM and 10 PM, or on Sundays between the hours of noon and 10 PM.  Groups for the same course are scheduled on various days and times to allow the largest number of students to fit the groups into their schedules.

Q: Where do Study Groups meet?
A: Most study groups meet in the SLC study alcoves, although some groups meet in classrooms in the Chemistry building or other rooms on campus.

Q:  What happens at Study Group meetings?
A:  At meetings, members have the chance to work with one another to review course material, solve problems, and gain an understanding of course concepts.  Typical activities include sharing of class work, discussion and critique of peer's work, and participating in group activities created by the Study Group Leader.  Leaders are there to facilitate the group to work together, and are not there to lecture, tutor, or give members the answers.  Leaders also provide worksheets, practice tests, and other materials.

Q:  Who leads the Study Groups?
A:  Study group leaders are undergraduate students who have successfully completed the course in a previous term.  They are trained in collaborative learning and facilitation techniques.  Their primary responsibility is to help the group members work together; they are not expected to teach, tutor or lecture during the Study Group meetings.

Q:  How many Study Groups can I sign up for?
A:  Due to the high demand for membership in Study Groups, we ask that students sign up for one group per course.  It is possible to register for one group in a number of different courses.  For example, if you are taking both Bio 162 and Chem 130, you can register to be a member of a group for both courses.

Q:  Are Study Groups mandatory and is there an attendance policy?
A:  No.  Study groups are not mandatory.  You can choose to join a group if you feel it will be a good option for you.  Once in a group, you must attend consistently and participate actively.  Our attendance policy is that students who miss two or more consecutive sessions without contact with their leader may be dropped from the group.

Q: When can I sign up for Study Groups?
A:  Study group sign up typically begins during the second week of classes and remains open during the term.  Study groups tend to fill quickly so early registration is encouraged, although it may be possible to join groups later in the term if there are still spots available.  Watch the SLC web page for announcements about Study Group registration.

Q:  Should I join a Study Group?
A:  Study groups provide a great opportunity to have a set study time each week and the chance to work with your peers to master course material, although, Study Groups may not be a fit for all students.  Students should join a study group if they are interested in working each week with their peers, are willing to actively participate in meetings, and enjoy studying in a small group environment.

Q:  How do I join a Study Group?
A:  Students can join a study group at the start of the term via the SLC website.  You must use Internet Explorer on a Windows computer or Safari on a Macintosh computer.  

Q:  What do I do if all of the groups are closed for the course I wanted to sign up for?
A:  You should join the waitlist for study groups for that course and list all the available days and times that you can participate in a study group.  The waitlist will automatically place students into a study group once an opening occurs, beginning with the first student on the waitlist.

Q:  The Study Group program sounds great, but I really need a tutor or more direct help with the course material.  What should I do?
A:  Please check out the SLC's Tutoring Resources.  You may also want to contact the department directly to see if they maintain any information on tutoring for the specific course you are seeking help for.

Q:  Who do I contact if I have additional questions about the Study Group Program?
A:  Send an email to slcstudygroups@umich.edu and a member of the Study Group staff will respond to you as soon as possible.