Is It Better to Have a Study Buddy? The Real Benefits and Pitfalls for High School Students

Jan, 6 2026

Ever sat down to study for a chemistry test and realized you’ve been staring at the same page for 20 minutes, not remembering a single thing? Now imagine someone sitting next to you, asking you to explain the periodic table like you’re teaching a five-year-old. Suddenly, it clicks. That’s the power of a study buddy-not magic, not luck, but science-backed brain chemistry at work.

Why your brain remembers more with a partner

Your brain doesn’t learn well in isolation. When you explain a concept out loud to someone else, you force your brain to organize the information in a way that makes sense. This is called the protégé effect. A 2014 study from the University of Chicago found that students who taught material to others scored 20% higher on retention tests than those who just reviewed notes. A study buddy isn’t just someone who sits quietly beside you-they’re your personal knowledge checker. If you can’t explain it clearly, you don’t really know it yet.

It’s not just about repetition. Teaching forces you to fill in gaps. You might think you understand quadratic equations until you try to walk someone through the steps. That moment of panic? That’s your brain saying, ‘I need to go back and fix this.’

Who makes the best study buddy?

Not every classmate is a good fit. The best study buddy isn’t the one with the highest grade. It’s the one who:

Asks questions instead of giving answers
Shows up on time, every time
Can explain things simply, not just recite them
Isn’t afraid to say, ‘I don’t get this either’

Pairing with someone who’s way ahead can make you feel discouraged. Pairing with someone who’s way behind means you’ll end up doing all the work. The sweet spot? Someone close to your level-maybe a few points higher or lower. You challenge each other without overwhelming each other.

One student from Lincoln High in Chicago told me she studied with her lab partner, who got a B+ and she got a B. They’d quiz each other every Tuesday and Thursday after school. By finals, they both jumped to A’s. Why? Because they stopped pretending they knew everything and started admitting what they didn’t.

High school students quizzing each other with flashcards, timer visible, focused on their study session.

The hidden dangers of group study

It’s not all good. A bad study buddy can waste your time, lower your focus, or even make you feel worse about your progress.

Here’s what goes wrong:

Conversations drift to TikTok, weekend plans, or who asked who to prom
One person does all the talking while the other just nods
You start copying answers instead of figuring them out
You show up late, cancel last minute, or never bring materials

A 2023 survey of 1,200 U.S. high school students found that 41% said their study sessions felt unproductive. The biggest reason? Lack of structure. Without a plan, group study turns into social time with textbooks.

Fix this by setting rules before you start:

Set a 45-minute timer. No phones during that time.
Agree on one topic per session-like ‘nervous system’ or ‘Shakespearean sonnets’.
Take turns teaching. One person explains, the other asks questions.
End with a 5-minute quiz. Write down three questions and swap answers.

When studying alone is actually better

There are times when you should skip the buddy. If you’re trying to memorize formulas, practice a foreign language pronunciation, or review your own notes from class, solitude works better. Your brain needs quiet time to consolidate information. That’s why top performers often study alone in the morning and with a partner in the afternoon.

Try this hybrid approach:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Study alone for 60 minutes. Focus on your weakest subject.
Tuesday, Thursday: Study with a buddy for 45 minutes. Review what you learned alone.

This way, you’re not relying on someone else to teach you-you’re using them to test yourself. It’s like having a personal trainer for your brain.

A student teaching themselves by speaking to a mirror while their cat watches quietly.

What to do if you don’t have a study buddy

Not everyone has someone to study with-and that’s okay. You can still simulate the experience.

Here’s how:

Record yourself explaining a topic on your phone. Play it back. Do you sound confident?
Use flashcards with a friend over text. Send one question a day and ask them to reply with the answer.
Join a school study group. Many high schools now offer after-school peer tutoring sessions. Ask your teacher.
Teach your pet, your mirror, or a stuffed animal. Yes, seriously. It works.

One student from Oak Park High told me she taught the water cycle to her cat every night. She said the cat didn’t care, but she started remembering the stages without even trying.

Final thought: It’s not about who you study with-it’s about how

Having a study buddy isn’t a magic fix. It’s a tool. And like any tool, it only works if you use it right. The goal isn’t to have someone there to hold your hand. It’s to have someone who makes you think harder, speak clearer, and remember longer.

Start small. Pick one subject. Find one person who’s willing to try. Set a time. Stick to it for two weeks. If it helps, keep going. If it doesn’t, try someone else-or go solo. There’s no single right way to study. But if you’re not testing your knowledge out loud, you’re not really learning.

Can a study buddy really improve my grades?

Yes, if you use them right. Students who study with a partner regularly score 15-25% higher on standardized tests, according to a 2022 meta-analysis of 37 high school studies. The key is active teaching, not passive listening. If you’re just copying notes, you won’t see results.

What if my study buddy is distracted or lazy?

Set boundaries. If they’re consistently late, don’t wait. If they bring snacks and phones, say, ‘Let’s try this for 20 minutes without distractions.’ If they still don’t change, find someone else. Your time is valuable. A good study buddy respects that.

Should I study with someone in the same class or a different one?

Same class is usually better. You’re working on the same material, so you can quiz each other directly. But if you’re struggling with math and your friend is great at it-even if they’re in a different grade-it’s still worth trying. The goal is to find someone who can help you understand, not just match your schedule.

How often should I meet with my study buddy?

Twice a week is ideal. Once a week keeps you accountable, but twice lets you build momentum. Don’t overdo it-three or more times a week can lead to burnout. Keep sessions short: 45 to 60 minutes max. Quality beats quantity.

Is it better to study with a friend or a stranger?

Strangers often work better. Friends can be too relaxed. You might feel awkward correcting them, or they might feel awkward saying no to you. A classmate you don’t hang out with outside school tends to stay focused. But if your friend is serious about grades, stick with them. Personality matters more than familiarity.

1 Comment

Anand Pandit
January 7, 2026 AT 00:49

I used to study alone until I teamed up with my lab partner last year. We didn't even sit in the same class, but we met twice a week to quiz each other on biology. I used to blank out on mitochondria, now I can explain it while brushing my teeth. The key? No phones, no snacks, just 45 minutes of pure chaos and then a quick quiz. It works.

Don't overthink it. Just find someone who won't let you fake it.