Pick a Study Group

College is supposed to be less exclusive and superficial than high school, but there is a time when you should edit those you associate with: when you're picking your study group. You don't have to be as catty as Vivian and Warner in Legally Blonde, but if you really want a study group composed of smart, creative people, you'll have to learn how to find the right people. Think of it as practice for the real world: you're not going to compromise your reputation or your work just because you're afraid of speaking up, are you? So why would you risk making a poor grade just because a group of slackers wants you in their group? The skills you learn by picking the right study group may actually groom you to be a good manager, too.

You've got to be sensitive and diplomatic, and also realistic. Do you have to have the perfect study group — or any study group at all — for every single class? Concentrate first on your own goals and challenges for each class. Some subjects might be especially difficult for you to understand, while other courses might just have too much work and too many outlines for you to handle on your own. Once you find out which class you need the most time and help with, start by building that study group first. If you know the other students in your class, you'll obviously have a better idea of who you want to work with, but don't just buddy up with friends or the people you're sitting next to. Identify students who participate in class and actually have something sensible and creative to contribute to discussions. People with good attendance are also great for study groups, even if they don't make the highest grades, and those who jump onto online chats and show up for extra lectures, video presentations or who you've seen waiting around for the professor during office hours will greatly benefit your group.

Don't run your study group like a dictator: remember that everyone has conflicting schedules but that you're all there to help each other learn, share notes and answer questions. It's a community effort, and if someone has to skip a meeting — for whatever reason — move along with the other members and don't criticize his or her absence. You may find yourself kicked out of the group if you're too strict and exclusive.