Accountability Groups: FAQs | Academic Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Voluntary group of students committed to a semester of weekly study sessions led by a peer educator
Members meet once per week for 90 min
- Group time is spent with a 10 min check-in, 10 min goal sharing, 60 min focused on task, and a 10 min debrief
- 60 minutes spent individually focused on task
- All members set a goal for the group time and shares it out
- Members work on their unique course materials
- The peer educator shares relevant resources and referrals

Accountability Groups offer a welcoming, steady space where students can build healthy study habits and gain extra support.
Because members check-in with peers every week, they build a real sense of community and learn about campus resources.
They also strengthen their sense of personal accountability for reaching their goals.
Over time, this steady practice helps members grow in confidence as they learn and try out new study strategies.

Peer educators lead every session, after completing training in study skills, strategy, and campus resources.
To join, students sign up on the Accountability Group Student Interest Form for a group that fits their schedule or add their name to the waitlist if their preferred time is full.
Each group meets at the same time and place, once a week, in Haley 2238, for the whole semester.
Members are expected to attend on a regular basis, since missing too many sessions may lead to removal from the group.
Accountability Groups meet in the fall and spring. Students are encouraged to sign up early, since groups do not meet in the summer.

A friendly, supportive space where students set their own goals.
A chance to say their intentions aloud and celebrate progress together with the group.
A full hour of focused, solo work time each session.
Opportunities to meet other students and trade study tips.
An expectation of regular attendance - members who miss sessions often will be removed from the group.

Steps for Group Membership

Groups need three to eight students, who sign up for a session that fits their schedule.
Members do not need to study the same subject or take the same class.
The best members are consistent, supportive, and motivated.

Each group meets at the same day and time, once a week, for 90 minutes in Haley 2238, throughout the semester.
Members should commit to showing up consistently and make this time a real priority in their planner.

Agree on a list of basic principles for the meeting time, and then hold each other to them
- What about phone notifications during this time?
- Are we speaking up if we have questions or is this quiet time?
- Are we playing music or white noise? Are people using headphones?
- How will we let people know they are breaking the ground rules in a productive way?

Outlines provide structure and direction for the time
Being consistent with the outline helps everyone know what to expect when they attend

What	How long	Why
Check in	10 minutes	Example: What are the highs, lows, or accomplishments of the week? This is an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments and support challenges of members in the group. Positive energy and motivation are good contributions to an effective accountability group, so starting out by checking in can help set that tone.
Set and share goals	10 minutes	Having concrete goals for the time are critical to an effective accountability group. During this time, members should share goals out loud - write them on a white board in the room.
Focus	60 minutes	This can also be a time to share and try strategies. For example, collectively you may try out the Pomodoro Method and reflect on how it affects your focus or not.
Reflect	10 minutes	Members should always take time to share reflections on things like: What went well? What didn’t go well? What is one thing you learned during this time? What do you need to do to prepare for next time? How much progress did you make toward your goal(s) for the session? What resources are available to help support our goals? This is another opportunity to celebrate accomplishments and support challenges.