The only thing worse than studying for midterms is trying to handle group projects. For some reason, the worst person on the planet years ago thought that combining students with conflicting schedules and making them somehow coordinate a time to meet out of class would be a good way to give assignments. Thanks a lot, Satan. However, until a professor decides to find their humanity, we college students are stuck with having to deal with group projects. Here a few tips for handling the worst part of college academics.
1. Accept the Fact Someone is Going to Want to Take Charge
It’s a well known fact that one person, usually with a Type A personality, is going to want to take charge. That’s great for the people that want to slack off, not so great for the people who want to have a part of group projects. Don’t be afraid to speak up and throw your opinions out there! Just because someone wants to take charge doesn’t mean your ideas aren’t valid.
2. Make an Effort to Meet up
The absolute worst part of group projects is when everyone has decided to meet at a certain time and place then you get that text: “Hey guys something came up, can we meet up another time?” If at all possible, DO NOT BE THAT PERSON. Seriously, nobody like that person. Make the times the group is meeting up a priority and don’t treat it as an optional thing.
3. Be Positive
Group projects suck, trust me we all know. But don’t bring that up every time you’re talking with your group. The only good that will come from it is getting on a two hour venting session about how much this sucks and then boom, the time you guys had to meet up is over and no work has been done (this means you guys will have to meet up again).
4. Give Valuable Input
You know those little sheets of papers professors have started handing out where you grade your other group members? People will actually fill those out and tell the professor if you weren’t doing your fair share. Just make it easier on everyone and put your thoughts and ideas out there early on!
5. Meet with Your Group Before the day the Project is Due
It’s easy to put off assignments like these and wait until the day before to meet up, but the quality of work will indeed suffer if you decide to do this. Just save everyone the stress and meet at least a week before the assignment due date.
6. Just Grin and Bear it
There’s no way around them and in most professional fields you’re going to have to work with other people on a project, so this will be good practice. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet some cool people that happen to be in your major while working on a group project (here’s to hoping)!