Every semester it happens. As we work our way through the novel of a syllabus the first day of class, we reach the point of the dreaded "group project" assignment. I can feel the groan gurgling deep in my gut. Really? Another one? Panic ensues.
Not only do I work part time and have countless essays, projects and research to do for all of my other classes, but now I have to worry about four to six other people and making sure they do their part. If you've been in any form of group project, you know that your fellow group members will almost never do the work they're supposed to. And if you're anything like me, you end up picking up all the slack.
I'm not sure if professors realize this, but most group projects assigned are 80 percent one or two people and 20 percent everyone else. The worst part, the 20 percent who do nothing reap all of the benefits. Don't get me wrong, there are some occasions where you have help, maybe one or two people from the group, and if you're one of those people...
Once you've got your groups assigned, the task of assigning duties begins. Now, be prepared for almost every group member to pick the easiest part of the project and leave you with the hours of endless research, document design, and PowerPoint presentation development. Then, as if you don't have enough on your plate, you have to make sure they actually do what they say they're going to. Needless to say, the hair pulling and eye rolling have become your most noticeable traits.
And professors, let me give you the inside scoop. Most students don't care about the peer reviews. They don't care about the presentation. They probably don't even care about your class. Hopefully the ones that do are noticeable to you, because they deserve the highest of grades. I've asked countless times why professors insist on group projects and I get the same answers:
"Because you need to learn to work together."
Working together is a valuable trait, and in class assignments, student organizations and part time jobs help to hone in those skills. But I can assure you, group projects do not help this skill. If anything, they drive an even bigger wedge between you and your fellow classmates.
"Because you'll have to work in groups in your future career."
Of course we will. But the major difference between this group project and my future career is that if someone doesn't do their part in a career, they get taken off the project, or even worse, fired. With no incentive to drive students to actually try, they aren't going to put their all into your group project.
Needless to say, seeing the dreaded words "group project" in any class will always bring out the inner stress within me. Professors, please do all of us overachievers a favor and stop with the group projects.
