He has no doubt that study groups are important and believes that they should be taken seriously. The optimum size of a group is three to five members. Though the best group is not necessarily one with your best friends.

"Studies show that it weakens the quality of the collaboration when the group consists of good friends. You’re not critical enough."

Once the group is formed you should discuss how the study group will function.

"Here you can reconcile expectations about when and how often you will meet. It can also be a good idea to discuss one another's strengths and weaknesses."

According to Peter Musaeus it can be a good idea to assign roles in the group. Each month a new member can ‘manage’ the group so that person is responsible for ensuring that the study group gets through its agenda and meets as agreed. Though you should meet at least once every other week.

His best advice for beginning collaboration is to draw up a contract.

"Even though it may seem artificial it can still be a good idea. The contract can help clarify what you need to do – after all, this is a working group and not a social association. This provides a good basis for the collaboration. But it’s important to remember that it only has value if you insist that everyone lives up to the contract."

Find the expert's suggestion for a good contract: Google: Academic group "Study Group Contract" (pdf)

The expert: Five good reasons for study groups:

• It is natural for people to organise themselves in groups.
• In the study group you hear yourself and others use academic concepts, something you do not learn in lectures. 
• You learn how to argue and discuss academically.
• Because you also have to present your knowledge, you have to work harder on understanding the syllabus and that benefits you on the day of the exam.
• Almost all jobs involve groups. So it is therefore important to learn.

Translated by Peter Lambourne.