Group projects. At some point in your college career you are going to have to overcome this hurdle. Group projects can be the best idea or they can majorly backfire. Depending on the members in your group, you will either successfully pull off a project with lots of group effort, or you will be stuck trying to breathe life into the project the night before it is due.
Unfortunately, not every professor lets you choose your group, giving you an assigned team to work with. If you are attending school on campus, you will probably meet with your group members on a regular basis, whereas if you are enrolled in one of the top online universities, you’ll have to coordinate with your group remotely. Either way, you are bound to run into some issues, but luckily most issues can be solved or worked around.
The Slacker
There is one in every group. You say “group project” to a slacker and she hears “break time.” These people see group projects as a free ride to an A and will put their feet up and let the rest of the group do all the work if you let them. The trick to working with these people is to hold them accountable. If your teacher has you grade your fellow group members, make it clear to the slacker that if she doesn’t complete her part of the project, the rest of the group is prepared to dock her grade.
The Self-Proclaimed Genius
You know the type. The self-proclaimed genius believes it’s his way or the highway. He thinks he knows the best way to do things, and isn’t willing to brainstorm or be open to ideas from other group members. Unfortunately, it will require a team effort to work around people like this. Your entire group will need to push new ideas, and voice their concerns. Self-proclaimed geniuses thrive on pushovers who are willing to let them have their way. Don’t be that pushover.
The Work Hog
I know, this sounds like a dream come true: a group member willing to do all the work. This may seem like the perfect scenario, but make sure you are pulling your weight. In the midst of a project, it can seem like everyone is happily doing their job and then all of a sudden, your get your grade back and it’s lower than you hoped it would be. Work hogs can plug away and do most of a group project, then suddenly decide to take all the glory. They may give you low ratings, which could affect your class grade. Make sure you make it clear to this group member that you are willing and ready to do your part. If you have to, step up and just start working.
Group projects can be less than ideal. Luckily, there are lots of ways you can deal with the members you’ve been assigned, and with some team work and some efforts from all sides, you can do well on your project and ace your class.
