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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at OR State chapter.

It’s that time of the term again. Multiple midterms are already at the forefront of your long list of stressful to-dos, but your professor isn’t satisfied: they want to see you suffer further. And so of course the next logical step is for them to assign a group project. Why, oh why?!? Just in case you need some ideas to add to your list of why group projects are terrible, I’ve got a reason or two for you…

 

1. Random group partners

 

It’s hard to tell with strangers what they will actually contribute and since you have no previous connections to them they could completely flake out on you. Even in college some people don’t care about their grades. Kind of crazy, considering tuition prices, don’t you think?

 

2. Unclear instructions

 

Your professor could be helpful and provide a rubric or show examples in class. However, they could also provide extremely conflicting instructions and make you confused about what they expect.

 

3. The lack of communication

 

Right away you try to set up a group text message, facebook group, or google doc to share ideas and communicate with your group, but do they respond? No, even though you’ve see them on their smartphones every other class period. Get ready to feel like a nagging mom.

 

4. The vanishing group member

 

The excuses i’ve gotten from group members have varied throughout the years. However, they’ve all been consistently irrelevant. I’ve had people saying they are sick, working, having family problems, or not wanting to use transportation options. I’ve also had group members simply not show up or only show up at crucial check-in days. If you’re lucky and your major requires applications to get into your program, these people will be mostly gone after freshman year. Or so we all hope.

 

5. The wannabe group leader

 

They want to be the group leader and seem to be helping out a lot at first. They take notes at the first couple of group meetings and get everyone to actually split up tasks. Then, you realize the fatal flaw: they gave themselves the biggest part of the project and you don’t know if they’ll actually finish it or if they’ll end up blaming the rest of you for not helping them. Do they actually want to do that part or are they the type that likes to hold a grudge?

 

6. The shared presentation

 

Whether it’s a 10 page paper, a detailed powerpoint, or a poster board, there will inevitably be a part of your group project that you have to split up and work on. Google Docs can help a little bit, but combining writing and design styles never ends up working exactly right. There’s always someone who has perfect grammar and presentation skills and then someone on an entirely different part of the spectrum who is terrified of speaking and doesn’t know how to write anything more than an emoji-filled text.

 

7. Setting up group meetings

 

Trying to figure out a schedule that actually works for everyone in a group project is nearly impossible. The more group members there are the more chaos exists. You have to work around classes, work, club meetings, chapter, sports practices, and any number of other commitments. It’s enough to drive anyone crazy.

 

8. Unhelpful group feedback

I guarantee you there will be at least one group project where you will end up having to do all (or most) of the work. That won’t even be the worst part, though. The worst part will be when your other group member, or members, approach you about your work after grades are released. Good or bad, they’ll bring up something that could have been changed even though they didn’t lift a finger to contribute before. Feel free to deal with this accordingly by rolling your eyes and walking away. Or nip the issue in the bud early and talk to your professor when issues arise.

 

9. Dumb ideas

 

Professors always say there are no dumb questions but this concept does not extend to project ideas. Now don’t get me wrong some brainstorming is necessary at the beginning of your group’s project. That said there will always be at least one group member who is determined to make everyone agree to their idea. It’s not a good idea and no one will end up saying it is, so they’ll resent the person whose idea does get chosen. Awkwardness and tension will ensue.

 

10. Peer reviews

 

Probably one of the worst parts of group projects are peer reviews because they are such a missed opportunity. Usually professors hand these out in the middle of class and expects you to fill them out honestly with your group members peering over your shoulder at every turn. You want to write about the group member that didn’t show up and the bad behavior but you feel trapped and you end up writing generic feedback for everyone. Or someone lies and bad mouths you on their feedback survey. These are never really as honest or as beneficial as they could be.

Comment below your worst group project experiences!

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Madeline is a Senior at Oregon State majoring in Merchandising Management and minoring in writing. She was the 2016-'17 president of Chi Theta Phi, a local design sorority on campus. If she's not in class, at a club meeting, chapter, or writing, she's probably spending time with her family, friends, walking her dogs, eating junk food, or watching too many crime, comedy, or fashion shows on Netflix. She likes cheese, dogs, creative projects, obnoxious animal prints, garage sales, farmer's markets, and generally just being silly. 
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