Why is engaging with peers a good strategy during exam review?

Engaging with peers during exam review is beneficial primarily because it facilitates different perspectives and explanations. When students collaborate, they bring varied backgrounds, experiences, and interpretations of the material to the table. This diversity can enhance understanding, as one student might grasp a concept in a way that resonates with another who is struggling. Peers are able to explain complex topics using language or analogies that might be more relatable than those found in textbooks or lectures. This collaborative learning environment can lead to deeper comprehension and retention of the subject matter, which is especially valuable when preparing for exams.

While socializing is an inherent part of engaging with peers, the primary advantage lies in the educational exchange that occurs. Rather than simply enjoying each other's company, working together allows for a richer learning experience, where students can clarify doubts, solidify their own understanding by teaching others, and discover new strategies for solving problems.

The notion that peer engagement results in less individual studying or helps skip over difficult topics overlooks the critical aspect of collaboration: it doesn't eliminate challenges but instead encourages students to tackle them together, reinforcing their learning through discussion and teamwork.