Studying for competitive exams like the FRCOphth Part 2 Written or Oral can feel overwhelming. The syllabus is vast, the stakes are high, and the pressure can get intense. While self-study is essential, preparing in isolation can sometimes become a lonely and ineffective journey.
That’s why I believe starting a study group—yes, even if it’s just with one more person—can change the game. Here’s why:
1. Accountability Doubles Your Consistency
When you know someone else is showing up to revise a topic or discuss cases with you, you’re more likely to stay on track. Whether it’s a weekly OSCE discussion or a daily 20-minute viva, the commitment you make to your study partner builds consistency and keeps procrastination at bay.
2. Explaining Strengthens Your Own Understanding
Teaching or discussing a concept with someone—even if it’s just a single case—forces you to process it deeply. When you explain pathophysiology, investigation options, or surgical steps out loud, you expose gaps in your knowledge and reinforce what you know.
3. Shared Resources = Smarter Prep
Each person brings their own strengths—be it notes from a recent course, pearls from an expert-led webinar, or well-organized summary charts. In a duo or small group, you multiply your resources and reduce redundancy, saving time and effort.
4. Boosts Confidence for the Real Exam
Especially for the oral exam, practicing with another person simulates the pressure of being questioned, forces you to structure your thoughts, and trains you to speak confidently. The back-and-forth of case discussions makes you less nervous and more fluent when facing examiners.
5. Emotional Support is Underrated
Studying alone during stressful times can lead to burnout. Having even one companion on the same path means you have someone to vent to, laugh with, and celebrate milestones with. It turns exam prep into a shared experience rather than a solitary struggle.
6. It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Work
Don’t wait to find a “perfect group” of 6-8 highly motivated people with ideal time zones. That often never happens. Even a single reliable partner who can meet regularly is enough to create momentum. Some of the most effective prep I’ve done was with just one study partner, and the results spoke for themselves.
Final Thoughts
A study group—no matter how small—is not just about combining knowledge. It’s about staying human during a high-pressure phase. It keeps your motivation high, your learning active, and your spirit supported.
So if you’ve been waiting for the “right group” to show up—start with just one person. Message that friend. Schedule the call. Begin.
Your future self will thank you.
