Now that it’s the end of the semester, those dreaded group projects your teacher assigned in the beginning of the year, or even just recently, need to be completed. Group work is a dreaded word in college classrooms. I have never met anyone who has liked group work before, because everyone knows how it will turn out. Sort of like this:
The Over Achiever: This person is very much like Phil. She’s the one who takes control of the project from the start. The over-achiever will hand out jobs to everyone that she expects will be done. In reality, she will do all parts of the project because she’s afraid they won’t be done in time, or she won’t be happy with the way the project turns out if anyone but she does it. The over-achiever lives by the motto “My way or the highway.” She doesn’t want anybody to ruin her chances of getting an A. She also hopes the teacher will grade each group member individually since she believes she deserves a perfect grade. Better stay out of her way if the professor gives every group member the same grade.
The “Just Along for the Ride” Member: This group member is like Stu. She doesn’t really provide anything of value to the group except for distractions during group meetings. This individual will do her work, sure, but this person just expects everyone else to carry the group. Unlike the over achiever, this group member is just along for the ride. Often, this person will wait to be told what to do and will take very little control over the project; she’ll leave that to everyone else. It is not impossible to work with someone who fits into this category. But, beware the “just along for the ride” person will only do the bare minimum of work required.
The Invisible Group Member: A lot like Doug, who is missing for most of the Hangover movie, this group member is there for the first meeting, but then disappears until the presentation day. When the group tries to make plans to meet, this person never shows up. They don’t even contact you to find out what they can do to help out with the project. It’s almost as if this individual has fallen off the face of the earth. Then suddenly they magically appear on the day of the presentation waiting to be told what they can do. If you get stuck with one of these people in your group, make sure the professor knows she isn’t pulling her weight in the project.
The “I Don’t Know What’s Going On” Member: This person is much like Alan. She’ll show up to meetings and just sit there. Much like the person who is just along for the ride, the “I don’t know what’s going on” person will provide a lot of laughs for the group members but not much help on the project itself. She will help out with the project but she just might need a little more direction or understanding of what is required. Be patient with this person, she means well. She may not seem like an asset to the group in the beginning, but she might just surprise you and really add something great to your group dynamic and the project overall.
Although group projects may not be your most favorite thing in the world, just remember that each group of people you work with truly provide a unique experience and hopefully contribute to a good grade.
Photo Credits
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