Finding a Study Partner (Or Just Studying With a Friend)
A good study partner is one of those things you don't realise you needed until you have one. Somebody who's working on the same thing, shows up when they say they will, and doesn't mind that you've asked the same question twice.
A bad one is worse than no one. So it's worth being a bit picky.
What to look for in a study partner
- Same goal, roughly. You don't need the same level, but you need the same exam or the same course. Otherwise you're explaining your whole world every session.
- Similar schedule. The most brilliant partner in the world is no use if they study at 3am and you're asleep.
- Reliable over brilliant. Someone who turns up every Tuesday beats someone clever who turns up when they feel like it.
- Honest. You want someone who'll say "I don't get that either" instead of nodding.
- Not your best friend, necessarily. This one's contentious, but if your best friend is also your biggest distraction, a partner you like a little less may get you further.
Where to find one
If you're in a class, ask. Honestly. Most people are quietly hoping someone will. A message like "I'm going to go through last year's paper on Thursday evening, want to join?" is easy to say yes to and easy to say no to, which is what you want.
If you're studying alone, for something like an entrance exam or a distance course, it's harder. A few ideas that work:
- Study in a public space where other students hang out. In V.Study Space, that's the General study hall, which is open to everyone.
- Go at the same time every day. You'll start recognising people.
- When you recognise someone, say something short. "I see you're here every morning too. Want to do a private room on Saturdays?"
We cover more of the awkward-first-hello territory in our post on studying with strangers online.
How to study with friends without wasting the time
The honest problem with studying with friends is that you're friends. You'd rather talk. Some ways around that:
- Agree what you'll do before you meet. Past paper, chapter summary, problem set. One thing.
- Work first, talk later. Do the first 25 minutes in silence. Chat during the break.
- Use a timer you both can see. A shared clock is hard to argue with.
- Put the phones away. Both of you. Or neither of you will.
- Swap roles halfway. One explains a topic, then the other.
We wrote a longer guide on this in how to study as a group, and almost all of it applies to two people as well.
Studying with a friend who isn't nearby
Most study partners these days are in a different postcode. That's fine. A private room gives you a shared table without a video call's formality. You can create a private room for two, copy the link, send it, and you're both there. Each of you gets a little character, you sit at the same table, and your video connects when you're close. When you want a break, there's a balcony where you can use voice chat and talk properly.
It's set up that way deliberately. The study table is quiet. The balcony is where you talk. So you get both, and neither bleeds into the other.
If you want to build a team
A study team (or study teams, if you're juggling a few subjects) is just a study partner multiplied. Everything above applies, but keep the numbers small. Three or four is plenty, and private rooms go up to six. Fix a day, fix a time, and keep it dull. The dull groups last. For the online side, see how to run an online study group.
When it isn't working
If your partner keeps cancelling, if you're always the one explaining, or if you dread the sessions, it's okay to stop. Say something kind and honest. "I think I work better alone on this one, but thanks for doing it with me." Then try someone else. A partner who fits is worth a few awkward conversations to find.
Ready to try? Sign up for free, then make a room and invite whoever you've got in mind.