If you are anything like me, your stomach probably churns and your eyes accidentally roll back into your head when the teacher announces that everyone is to get into a group to work on a project. While you really just want to pick up and run out of the classroom right then and there, there is really no way of getting out of it. Your teachers always say that group projects are great learning experiences, but you'll always think otherwise. Group projects are infamous for all of the right reasons and here are some reasons why no one ever wants to be forced into pretending they like sharing their schoolwork with each other.
1. You are always the one who takes over.
You know what you want and you go after it. There’s nothing wrong with this, but when the other group member’s see that you are willing to step up to the plate, they also willingly take a step back.
2. You dread texting the person who hasn't contributed all semester long.
Like honestly, what’s your deal?
3. No one can ever meet at a convenient time.
Because one plays a sport, one lives 30 miles away, one has to go to dinner, and one is sick. You got it, there’s nothing I’d rather be doing at 9 p.m. on a Wednesday night than meeting with my slacking group members to work on a marketing plan.
4. Group projects mean doing the whole assignment the night before it's due.
Crunch time is not always the best time.
5. There are always one or two that wait to be told what to do.
Just do something! Maybe write a sentence or two in our shared Google doc.
6. There's always that one person who says they'll just make the Powerpoint.
Thanks! That is the easiest part of the whole entire project. But you do you.
7. A meeting in the library means your group members talking with all of their friends they see walking by.
This leaves you asking, "Are we ever going to finish this thing?"
8. Some group members conveniently forget to answer all of your emails and texts about meeting times.
Or you're just ignoring me, no biggie.
9. Everyone has different writing styles.
Which means that nothing flows and you are left editing the whole freaking 20 page paper. This all means that you get to re-write the entire paper. Yay!
10. There is always the one person in the group who doesn't say a word all semester.
Trust me kid, I don't want to be here either. But teamwork.
11. Your teacher makes you grade all of your group members.
Which is fine and all, but I would feel too bad giving the person who never did anything an F. That is your job, professor.
