Whenever a professor talks about an upcoming group project, almost everyone groans in despair–except the few who think their free-riding ways may still result in a good grade. Though I suppose working in a group can teach us delegation, responsibility, perhaps leadership, organization and deadlines…it generally often just becomes the bane of our existence and we just want to get it over with as soon as possible.
I just finished one group project, thank God, only to get ready to start another in a different class. The experience wasn’t all bad. I made some friends in a class where I didn’t have any going in. People mostly did their work and met the deadlines we set. But, since I’ve always been an over achiever, I edited our whole script and took it upon myself to do the works cited–which turned out to be the biggest pain in the butt ever.
If I could choose though, I would have rather done the project myself. It’s not that I’m a loner or a total control freak–I just don’t like the drama and extra stress that often comes with a group project.
In most cases, at least in my experience, there’s generally at least one group member who slacks off and miraculously always ends up with too much other work, or a broken down car, or a missing gerbil, anything to get them out of doing their share of work. Yeah, you’re not fooling anybody. That broken down car is probably the slacker’s way to stay in and watch a basketball game. Too much other homework is another way of saying they just want to hang out and watch a movie.
These free-riders are inescapable and have likely been at it throughout their whole lives, so why would you stressing them to do their part make any difference? Sure, you can complain to the teacher, but who wants to be a tattle tail? Basically, in college, you just have to suck it up. If you care about the grade, take it upon yourself to pick up the slack. Yeah, it sucks that a group project turns solo, but then you can at least feel proud and accomplished when you still snag an A!
If it’s a presentation, make your slacking members suffer. Shine on your part, but don’t fill them in on their missing information. Let them have to suffer through the awkwardness of not knowing what they’re talking about. Is this cruel? Yes. Is it necessary? Probably not. But it’s sweet revenge should you swing that way.
In the end, the best way to get through a group project is basically suck it up and deal with it. Make friends with your group, or at least try to get in with other seemingly trustworthy and responsible people. If the partners you get stuck with aren’t having it, then just block them out and focus on your own ideas for the project. If no one else helps, you can mention it to your professor, delegate specific and easy tasks so they at least contribute something, or bite your lip and carry on.
Group projects are part of life, whether we like it or not. Sometimes they go smoothly and sometimes your groupmates may seem like Satan’s spawns. Regardless, complaining and losing your temper won’t get you anywhere. No matter how insufferable they may be, it’s important to persevere and still do what needs to get done. When all’s said and done, you’ll come out a better person for it.