“How do you connect with study buddies or mentors to boost your exam prep?”
Here is what 20 thought leaders had to say.
I find study partners in group chats, especially for finance topics. At Awesomely, we hosted weekly calls where everyone shared what was working and what wasn’t. It wasn’t perfect, but people learned faster by hearing each other’s stories. In our recent programs, the students who showed up for the calls hit fewer roadblocks and felt more ready for their exams. Just show up and ask for feedback; it makes a huge difference.
Here’s what I’ve seen work. My team builds sharing tools, and the best learning happens when people post their messy first drafts. When we get together and walk through our thinking step by step, someone always spots a blind spot that the rest of us missed. Try using a group chat for quick help and a shared doc for working through problems right before an exam.
Bell Chen, Founder and CEO, Superpencil (Enlighten Animation Labs)
Seek out individuals in your classes. They are learning the very lessons you are. You can also join Internet groups. There are many study groups on websites such as Facebook or Reddit. Join a club in the area of your project. You get a note from him, just friendly like, introduced himself to you. Be honest about your goals. Let the others know which part of the exam is difficult for you. A coach can offer expert guidance. A study buddy will keep you on track every day. We make the work feel lighter by helping each other. It will make you feel more prepared for your exam by studying in a group.
Pavel Khaykin, Founder & SEO Consultant, Pasha Digital Solutions
What actually helped during medical training was grabbing residents for quick questions. We’d quiz each other on drug names in the hallways, and hearing someone explain a concept differently would suddenly make it all click. So just ask. They remember being confused and are usually happy to share the advice they wish they’d gotten.
Dr. Tomer Avraham, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Avraham Plastic Surgery
I connect by running a small study group built around a shared exam blueprint checklist. The checklist keeps our prep aligned and makes collaboration with study buddies consistent and focused.
Eric Turney, President / Sales and Marketing Director, The Monterey Company
Creating a Bounty System in a shared document taps into intrinsic motivation by turning tough questions into mini-challenges. It’s not just about getting answers but encouraging clear teaching, which deepens understanding for both the asker and responder. Setting a small but meaningful social stake, like public recognition in your study group or virtual badges, keeps everyone engaged without needing monetary rewards. This method shifts study sessions into active problem-solving arenas rather than passive review, making exam prep more dynamic and collaborative.
Liz Hutz, Owner, Liz Buys Houses
Back in my engineering college days, connecting with study buddies and mentors was all about real-life hustle. No apps or online groups back then. We had to get out there and talk to people. It worked great for crushing those tough semester exams.
I started in the library and hostel canteen. I would spot seniors who were killing it in subjects like Data Structures or Operating Systems. During lunch break, I would walk up and say something simple like, “Hey, I saw your grades. Mind if I buy you chai and ask about graph algorithms?” Most were cool with it. That is how I built three solid study groups. Each had four or five guys. We met in the library from 6 PM to 10 PM every day. We split chapters, taught each other the hard parts, and quizzed one another. It kept us all accountable. No one wanted to be the weak link.
For mentors, I went straight to the profs I liked. After class, I would say, “Sir, I am stuck on process scheduling in OS. Can I get 15 minutes a week for doubts?” Two profs agreed. We chatted over chai in their office. I also joined the college tech fest team. That connected me with alumni who shared coding tricks from their jobs. No formal sign-ups. Just show up, help out, and ask smart questions.
This whole approach boosted my prep big time. Teaching others locked in my own knowledge. The groups made late nights fun instead of a grind. I ended with an 8+ CGPA in my final semester.
My tip? Start small. Show you are serious first. People love helping someone who puts in effort.
Shishir Dubey, Founder, Jungle Revives
What I’ve found is that asking someone, “Will you be my study buddy?” is almost a sure-shot way to get a vague “maybe” that almost never turns into anything substantial. When I’m learning a new system or skill for MonsterOps, for instance, I use the “specific ask” strategy where I reach out to someone who I think is a little ahead of the curve in that particular subject and ask if we can compare notes on a specific problem that I am currently stuck on.
For instance, “I’m struggling with the logic in module four. Will you be available sometime this week to do a quick 15-minute call so I can see how you figured it out?”
It ended up working extremely well because it’s a low commitment. And it’s extremely high value for both parties since they get to teach, and reinforce what they’ve learnt, while I get to learn from someone more experienced than me in that subject.
I truly believe that connections tend to happen when you focus on the work and not the label it brings with it.
Jeremy Chatelaine, Founder & CEO, MonsterOps
My experience shows me that you make your best connections if you use intent rather than asking for assistance. When I was looking for study partners or mentors, my first contact wasn’t to try to get help but, instead, to demonstrate my commitment to learning about the area by engaging with the content in a serious way and making that apparent to all.
Therefore, for working with other students, I usually find small groups that focus on active discussions and participate jointly. I would discuss my approach to the subject matter, as well as any difficulty I had or how I taught myself some of it, with the group. In this way, I attract like-minded people who want to help share in that effort and build a relationship based on that effort, as opposed to convenience.
In the case of mentoring, I believe that providing clear context is critically important. Instead of just sending a general inquiry to someone in my network, I always send them specific information about what subjects I am studying, what I have attempted, and what I need help with. This approach allows me to show my respect for their time and make it easier for them to give me quality assistance.
At the end of the day, the most important aspect of preparing for exams is the connection created with the person or people helping to prepare. When the connection is based on serious engagement, inquisitiveness, and accountability, studying becomes less of a solitary activity, and the student is able to refine their learning process and become more adept at mastering the material.
Kevin Baragona, Founder, Deep AI
I’ve actually used LinkedIn to find study partners when prepping for exams. I’ll search for people posting about the same test and message them to see if they’re open to connecting or doing occasional study check-ins. It’s low-pressure, and sometimes those conversations turn into long-term professional connections, which is a bonus.
Tom Bukevicius, Founder & Principal, SCUBE Marketing
When deadlines get tight, finding the right people to study with is a game-changer. I look for people who want the same thing but have different strengths, like a puzzle fitting together. If you’re good with details, find someone who sees the big picture. I usually just shoot someone a text asking if they want to swap notes, and the collaboration grows from there.
Paul Jameson, Founder & Executive Chairman, Aura Funerals
I learn best by working with people. At Design Cloud, we’d hop on quick video calls and share screens to figure out problems. When we got stuck on a software integration, pairing up with more experienced colleagues helped us solve it faster than working alone. I’ve found keeping an open channel for questions and checking in regularly makes all the difference. Those small touchpoints are what matter.
James Rigby, Director, Design Cloud
Study Town is the best online platform to boost your exam preparation. It is an excellent way to connect with study buddies or mentors. It’s a virtual study platform that allows you to join a worldwide community for focused and silent study sessions. This platform highly boosts your productivity as you can interact with strangers from all over the world. You can enjoy a library-like environment because the chats and microphones are not working. It is especially best for people who are night owls, as they can find people with different time zones to study with them.
Ryan Moore, Founder & CEO, Pheasant Energy
A great way to connect with study buddies or mentors is to start by focusing on the people already around you who take their learning seriously. They could be in your academic circle, class fellows, roommates, or department fellows. Reach out to the fellows who have a great interest in studies, share resources, stay engaged, or have similar academic goals. You can also find study buddies through academic societies, campus groups, tutoring centers, or online communities who are experts in their fields. Similarly, if you need a mentorship, reach out to professors, teaching assistants, or even professionals you find on LinkedIn. Ask them a specific question. Many mentors enjoy supporting students who show curiosity and are genuinely interested in their subject. Check in regularly, share your progress, and ask for feedback to maintain the relationship.
Daniel Handerson, CEO, Relumination
When I’m cramming for an exam, I don’t hunt for a perfect study buddy. I pick one person who shows up, then I make it easy. After class, I’ll say, “Want to do two 45-minute review blocks on Tuesday?” In the library, no phones. Specific beats vague. We trade one practice set each, and we keep a shared doc of misses. Five minutes at the end is for teaching back. That’s where the gaps scream.
For mentors, I go small and respectful. I email the TA or a second-year student with three bullets: what I’m preparing for, where I’m stuck, and a screenshot of my work. Then I ask for 15 minutes, not “can you mentor me?” After the chat, I sent a quick recap of what I’ll do next. People help again when you follow through, and they can see progress.
Ihor Lavrenenko, SEO Manager, Pesty Marketing
When I was in school, connecting with study buddies or mentors was a game-changer for my exam prep. I think the key is finding the right balance between solo study time and collaboration. Honestly, it’s so easy to get lost in your own head when you’re studying alone, but talking things through with others can really make a difference.
For me, the first step was always finding people who were in a similar boat—either in the same class or with similar exam goals. I’d typically reach out to friends in the class or post in study groups, either on social media or class forums. It was pretty casual at first, but over time, we found our rhythm, bouncing ideas off each other and filling in each other’s gaps.
What worked best for me was breaking up the studying into sessions where each of us would focus on explaining a topic. For example, one person might be better at one subject or chapter, and they’d lead the discussion on that, while the rest of us took notes, asked questions, or filled in missing details. Teaching others was always a great way to cement knowledge for myself, too—if I could explain it clearly, I knew I really understood it.
Mentors played a huge role as well. I always tried to find professors or senior students who had already been through what I was facing. One of my best strategies was scheduling quick check-ins with them to clarify confusing topics or get guidance on how to approach studying for particularly tough exams. Most of the time, these check-ins would last 15 to 30 minutes, but having that guidance was invaluable because it kept me from going down rabbit holes or wasting time on things that weren’t critical.
And one thing that always helped was accountability. We’d set up regular study sessions (either in person or virtually) and make sure to check in on each other’s progress. Something was motivating about knowing someone else was relying on you to show up prepared.
Looking back, the combination of studying in groups and getting mentorship made a huge difference in my prep. It wasn’t just about memorizing facts, but actually understanding concepts through discussion and feedback. If I were to advise anyone today, it would be: don’t isolate yourself in your exam prep. Find the people who can support, challenge, and guide you—and give back to them in the same way. It makes the whole process feel less stressful and a lot more manageable.
Xi He, CEO, BoostVision
I organized a study group where we all shared our exam worries. Once we admitted what we were actually scared of, everyone opened up. I’ve found that those simple conversations, like offering to review someone’s notes, often turn into ongoing relationships. Just reach out directly and say what you need. People are usually happy to help when you ask them straight up.
Brandon Brown, CEO, Search Party
Studying for AI certifications, I found some online groups and started scheduling calls. Talking through real scenarios with mentors was what made the difficult concepts finally click. It also helped to connect with other people slogging through the same material. That mix of focused help and shared struggle made the whole process feel less overwhelming.
Grant Gamble, Founder & CEO, G Com Solutions Limited
When I was prepping for exams, online forums were my secret weapon. I eventually found a mentor through a professional group, which helped me stop wasting time on the wrong material. Just be direct about what you need, and people will usually match your energy. We kept our meetings short and regular instead of long and sporadic. That consistency made it work without burning anyone out.
Stop looking for mentors in your current class and start messaging students who took the exam last semester.
Current students are often too stressed and competitive to help you effectively. The people who just finished the course have the notes you need and actually have the mental space to talk. I used this strategy during my junior year. I looked up upperclassmen in my major and sent a short, direct message. I wrote, “I see you took Chem 202 last year. I’m struggling with the lab reports. Could I buy you a coffee for fifteen minutes and ask two specific questions?” It worked because people love feeling like experts. One student met me and even gave me her old flashcards and practice exams.
It is much easier to get help from someone who has already crossed the finish line. They have the hindsight you need to pass, and they usually aren’t using their old notes anymore anyway.
Peter Wuensch, Vice President, Knape Associates
