A Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Group Work

Making Group Work Actually Work

Imagine sitting at the end of a long lecture, waiting to be dismissed from class. The professor is talking about some assignments and quizzes, and then they say the worst thing a student could possibly imagine: “This will be a group project,” which is then immediately followed by a collection of groans.

It is safe to say that, as students, every single one of us has had a moment just like this. Whether it is a general education class or a capstone project, group assignments are almost always a part of the curriculum. It is one of the most dreaded types of class assignments for many students.

This begs the question, if so many students loathe a group assignment, then why do professors still require these types of projects? As hard as group work can be, it is a great way for professors to simulate what most students will encounter in real-world situations when they enter the workforce.

Collaboration, communication, and problem-solving are skills a stellar employee will have, and that are also needed to thrive in group projects in the classroom.

Although it’s easy to see the real-life applications of having group work in the classroom it can still be dreaded. Our goal today is to give you a guide to not only survive working in a group, but to find a way to smoothly navigate and hopefully thrive!

Let's Start from the Beginning

The first mistake most groups make is waiting too long to connect and get together. 

Once teams are assigned, it is important to find a time as soon as possible to get together to break down the project and set expectations for each person in the group. These meetings can be in person or over Zoom if that is easier, especially for those taking online classes.

Here is a checklist of what we, as academic peer coaches, feel is essential to a successful first meeting:

• Contact information: gather everyone’s contact information and choose the best way for the group to communicate effectively (i.e., Group text, GroupMe, Slack, Microsoft Messenger, Email, and WhatsApp are just some of the options)
• Set ground rules for communication: agree on a reasonable time frame for response. For example, responses to texts should occur within 24 hours. This can also include agreeing to send updates on the assignment's progress.
• Divide and conquer: Review the assignment and break it into smaller pieces that can be evenly assigned to group members. These assignments can be made on a voluntary basis or based on your team's individual strengths and weaknesses. Also, keep in mind that some tasks may be dependent on another task being completed first. For example, if a group assignment requires writing a research paper, the discussion section cannot be written until the data analysis is complete. 
• Build a Central Hub: This can be something as simple as a google doc or google slide that is shared with the group and is updated synchronously, so all group members can see work that is done and the most updated information about the project.

By setting up the plan right away, it is easier for the pieces to fall into place and project to come together.

Time is Precious

Two things will always be true in a college student's life. First, students will be assigned a group project at least once in their college career. Second, students are busy, and time is precious.

College student schedules can become chaotic very quickly between work, social life, classes, and studying. 

During the first meeting about the project, when dividing and conquering the assignment, it can also be helpful to agree on internal deadlines as a team. These internal deadlines can apply to tasks that depend on each other. For example, if you have 4 weeks for a project, the data analysis should be done within the first 2 weeks so that the discussion can be written in the last two weeks.

Having an internal deadline can also mean agreeing to complete the assignment 2-3 days before the professor's hard deadline. This would give the group a little buffer to edit and complete any last-minute changes.

Keep in mind again that student schedules get busy. Even if a group project is underway, that doesn’t mean a student’s life just gets to pause. Life happens. Normalize speaking up early and communicating a delay. Early communication about a little bump in the road can go a long way in completing a group project smoothly. The whole group appreciates early communication!

Navigating Group Issues

The classic group project nightmare is the group member who goes radio silent and seems completely off the grid. What is a student supposed to do then?

Before panicking and sending a message that comes across as frustrated, angry, or even passive-aggressive, take a deep breath and give the benefit of the doubt first.

Here is the two-step escalation plan that we, as academic peer coaches, have developed.

Step 1: The Direct, Friendly Check-in
The first step is to have a respectful and open conversation with that individual, rather than immediately assuming they don’t care or aren’t willing to contribute. Reach out individually. Start your message with curiosity rather than an accusation. This can be as simple as saying something like “Hey! Just checking in about section 2 of our project. How is it coming along? Or do you need a hand with any of it?”

Step 2: Loop in the Professor
Unfortunately, the first step doesn't always bring about a resolution. If a teammate is still not communicating, and their part remains incomplete even after you reach out, it is time to loop in your professor. Don’t wait until the day the project is due if this is the issue that you and your group are facing. Reach out to your professor early so they have more time to provide your group with viable solutions and make adjustments if necessary.

Building Skills Beyond the Classroom

At the end of the day, a class that assigns student group work is all about providing a low-risk environment for students to practice and develop their skills in leadership, communication, and conflict resolution before entering their careers. 

Next time a group assignment lands on your syllabus, take control early, communicate often, and turn that potential headache into an easy win.

Make an appointment today! Schedule an appointment with an Academic Peer Coach if you'd like to talk more about how to manage in a group project.