I sure thought once I graduated high school group projects were behind me and boy was I wrong. Between my four years of undergrad and my first year in graduate school I have had more group projects than I can count. I'm not even sure if I can explain how much I hate these projects. I am also not an unsocial person, I have friends, I always have people that want to be in my group, that's not the issue.
My biggest issue with group projects is that no one does the work! I feel like I am always the one that gets stuck doing the entire project every time. Let's face it- there's one of me in every group. Maybe it is because I am an over-achiever but I do not appreciate when people want to wait until the night before to do an entire 30 minute presentation.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the point in them; I understand that in the work force you need to collaborate with your colleagues. However, when you are in the work force people care more. They are doing that job because that is what they want to do with their life, not because they're forced to take some class they could care less about. Or if they don't care, well they're getting paid so they are a lot more likely to do it.
Making time to meet outside or work and school that works for everyone is also a huge issue. I work a full-time job and have classes, the only time I have to meet is at night and at that point I just want to go home and go to bed. No one wants to meet on the weekends, and people always reschedule last minute or just never show up.
Also, why does no one ever answer their phones? I have been in groups where I am the only one texting and I feel like such a nag, basically talking to myself. I guess this goes hand in hand with being the only one doing the work.
I know I can't be the only one that feels this way about group projects. Let's change group project work ethic. If you are in a group project in school or even at work and no one is doing their part or you're just fed up with all of the excuses, casually send this article to them. Maybe then they'll get the point? You keep doing you, vent a little and do that project. Trust me I know it's frustrating but do not be afraid to speak up! Tell your instructor, don't give others the grade that you deserved alone.
