<p>Hey all. This is my first time posting after extensively reading last year’s and this year’s thread to get an idea about USABO. I actually have just started studying Campbell’s, but may I also join the study group? I feel that it would greatly help me stay focused and on track. Thanks~</p>
<p>Sure thing! Does anyone have any thoughts on the format of the group? Between MathGuy777 and I, we’e pretty much rejected Facebook and OpenStudy as options.</p>
<p>Personally, I’m in favor of a Google group, so that we would have a forum, but we could also use G+ Hangouts if we ever wanted to. What do you think?</p>
<p>So far we have:
-DiscipulusBonus
-MathGuy777
-satman1111
-elf4EVA
-TeamRocketGrunt
-bkoneru (from AoPS)
-hahaha12</p>
<p>It’d be great if we could also get some former USABO-ers like NSQ and airbus to join for occasional advice, but I’ll understand if they are too busy.</p>
<p>A Google group seems fine.
What time and how often will this be?</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>I can usually do two hours a day on weekdays. Probably 6:30-8:30 or 8:30-10:30. I usually study bio and chem for four hours; two hours bio and two hours chem.</p>
<p>Weekends are tentative.</p>
<p>I agree with the Google group idea. We should probably keep the group small so it’s easier to manage.</p>
<p>I don’t usually do too well when studying with others but out of curiosity how is the study session going to work?</p>
<p>I’d be interested in joining, if there’s still room. I was a finalist this (last?) year. I probably won’t be able to put in anywhere as much time as you guys are planning to, though.</p>
<p>^^^^^</p>
<p>You’d be awesome to have in the group. You could help the first timers like me and give us tips on how to approach certain parts and whatnot :D</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree with Discipulus: ~2 hours of studying is ideal, imo. We can always contact each other via facebook, gmail,etc. if you guys want to, but it’s probably not going to be where we have our study meetings, cause not everyone has FB accounts, etc.
@BeanDelphiki: Feel free to join! 
The more, the merrier!</p>
<p>OMG HI MICHAELLLLLLLLL</p>
<p>WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN BUDDY</p>
<p>And yes, I did just say “buddy”</p>
<p>Although that hasn’t been used since like the 90s</p>
<p>So when will this group start?
Also, I’m kind of curious as to how it will work. Is it going to be a chat or is this sort of like Skype where we all are in one big video call?
EDIT: Is everyone in PST or in a different time zone?</p>
<p>I’m in central.</p>
<p>@TeamRocketGrunt: Are you planning to take Chem Olympiads too? If so, what books are you using for your preparation?</p>
<p>Yeah, probably. Right now, I’m using Barron’s SAT II just to cover the basics. After I finish that, I’ll start with Zumdahl.</p>
<p>Oh, ok. I I want to do both too, but I am not sure if I will have the time to put in my best efforts for both. Since I am already an USABO semifinalist it makes sense for me to try again only if I have a chance at nationals. USABO really sucks, they go from 500 to top 20. I wish they would announce top 150, top 50 and so on. Wonder why no one is complaining about this?</p>
<p>I mean, it doesn’t really matter if you’re top 150 or 50. Either way, you’re a semifinalist.</p>
<p>What really matters is whether you get to top 20.</p>
<p>So when how where is this group going to happen?</p>
<p>I haven’t really had much time to work on this group recently because of illness (and studying biology :P), but I figure we can probably start it sometime this week.</p>
<p>I was thinking that we could start with a Google Group, and we could use the forums to discuss our progress, what we want to do with the group, and coordinate timing for live sessions.</p>
<p>What does everyone think about this plan?</p>
<p>^I like it. Fair warning, though, I’m only in the early chapters of Campbell. Like, chapter 1.</p>
<p>Seems good.
We can start this Wednesday if everyone is okay with that.</p>
<p>I would really be interested in joining as well. Although I have never done USABO, I have a decent background in Cell/Mol Bio, esp Immunology - from having research sinche freshman year (junior now). I know its practically worthless at this point, but I have also taken AP Bio with a 5…soooooooooooo letssss do this…</p>