Joining a study group can be a great way for FPC and CPP candidates to prepare for their exams and is a great way for participants to brush up on their payroll knowledge. Effective study groups can enhance learning and make studying more engaging and enjoyable. On the flipside, a poorly organized study group can make for slow progress and turn into nothing more than social gatherings full of distractions. Here are a few tips on ensuring your study group is successful and productive.

• Be consistent.

Many people will find that several shorter sessions are more helpful than a single, all-day session when it comes to learning and more importantly, retaining material. Choose an appropriate meeting schedule that is convenient for the group and will allow everyone to participate – weekly sessions that run for 1-2 hours might be a good starting point. Virtual or hybrid meeting formats could make for more inclusive sessions, especially if not all group members are able to physically attend each session. Respect the group’s time by keeping to the schedule and being adequately prepared for each meeting.

• Identify a leader and/or subject matter expert (SME) to lead each session.

The meeting leader should be able to effectively facilitate discussions and keep the group on track. Subject matter expertise is especially helpful in a group setting, since conversations can sometimes get derailed and cause confusion among the group as to what is actually correct. The SME may also help in summarizing the key topics during each session and help to clarify any misunderstandings or sticking points before moving on to the next topic or session. This may be a single person or rotated with different group members taking the role at each meeting.

• Leverage technology to enhance the group’s experience.

Online meeting platforms can be a great tool for allowing people to participate who may not be able to attend sessions in person. These meeting platforms may also allow for recording and sharing sessions with group members who may want to review the material again on their own time. Note-taking apps, whiteboards, and AI tools can make it easy to transcribe and share notes after each meeting as well.

• Have fun!

While the topics might be serious, the sessions don’t have to be. Hosting meetings in a comfortable location and maybe even supplying some light refreshments during sessions is a great way to keep things light and engaging. Adding interactive elements to some of the meetings such as quizzes or games can also be effective in helping with the retention of new concepts.

• Stay positive and supportive.

Keep in mind that group members might have different backgrounds and experience, and not everyone may be able to move at the same pace. Celebrate achievements and encourage all members to actively participate in discussion to ensure everyone’s voice is heard and valued.

Remember, everyone is there to learn and incorporating some or all of these strategies when planning and hosting your next study group can help create a productive and enjoyable experience for all members.

Carney Kim, CPP is Payroll Manager for Alexander & Baldwin and Region 4 Board of Advisor for PayrollOrg. Carney has served in various chapter officer roles including Study Group Coordinator and President. He also serves on various PayrollOrg committees including Ask an Expert, Education Advisory Committee, Strategic Payroll Leadership Task Force (SPLTF) Best Practices Subcommittee, and SPLTF Small Employer’s Best Practices Subcommittee.

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR CLS!

Remember, CLS comes with the following benefits:

• FREE Registration!
• 7 chapter-specific educational sessions
• 3 networking sessions
• Breakfast and lunch included on November 8
• 1.5 RCHs

We hope you are able to join us! 

*See "Who Can Attend" section of the CLS webpage for more information. Agenda and Keynote speakers can also be found on the CLS webpage.