If you’re anything like me, getting a group assignment in class can make you physically tense up with dread. Someone always ends up slacking, and it would be so much simpler if you could do it by yourself! The reality is that we will never escape group-work: it will follow you into whatever career you choose.
In the meantime, here is some advice to make it just a little bit easier (and help you get a better grade!).
Create a bond with your group.
Even if it’s something as simple as joint complaining about the class! This is important, because if the people in your group like each other, they’ll be less willing to let each other down. Win-Win!
Find an easy way to communicate ASAP!
You need to be able to chat about what’s going on and make plans quickly, so a group chat is always a good option. It’s best not to rely on an email chain – not everyone checks them regularly!
Observe the strengths and weaknesses of others and work around them.
If you’re working on something long-term, it is a good idea to take note of what people in your group are good at and not-so-good at. For example, if you realize someone is usually late to meetings, use the age-old trick of telling them you’ll be meeting earlier than you actually are! You won’t be able to change someone else’s traits or habits, so instead identify them and work around them.
Use your practical and emotional intelligence.
If you’ve never heard of these, look them up – they’re so interesting. Basically, use your common sense to decide how you should act. If you’re not sure how someone else might take a particular comment, don’t make it! On the other hand, if you think there’s something you can do or say that will benefit the group, then you go for it.
Don’t take anything personally.
If someone in the group criticises your work, it is unlikely to be malicious. Everyone has to learn to take some constructive criticism – and if it improves your work then it was actually for the benefit of yourself!
Involve your professor if you need to.
Don’t go running to them at the first sign of trouble, but if you can’t bring your group together, and people aren’t pulling their weight, make your professor aware of this. Just don’t keep whining about it if they can’t change anything!
Accept you may have to do the most of the work.
If you just can’t get people to pull their weight, you may end up doing most of the work yourself. This is totally unfair, I know, but you might have no choice if you want to get a decent grade. But this is a good skill to learn – you never know what kind of groups you’ll work with during your career. Sometimes, you may have to pick up other people’s slack, but in the long run you will get recognised for it and you will reap the rewards!