Group works are always going to be part of any curriculum. Learning to work with others is an essential skill, and learning it during the early stages of development is always going to be important. However, as students progress through the years, group works tend to become more complicated due to different factors. Here are some important factors to remember when working in a group.
Be wary of freeloaders
Freeloaders are very much real and can be everywhere. As much as you want to think the best of people, there are times when you will encounter them. The best course of action is to consult the group on what to do. No matter what the outcome, be sure to decide as a group. Afterwards, it would be best to talk to the person first but don’t let them have their way. If the problem continues, you can opt to give your professor a heads up so they can advise you on what to do.
Divide the workload
There are tons of tools now that can be used to communicate with one another. These tools that range from messaging apps to online team platforms are so varied that you will have no excuse not to get in touch with your teammates. To be fair to everyone, divide the work equally and fairly. Do not assign one person to do the whole presentation while all you have to do is print it out. Be fair, update everyone, and do your part.
Don’t be afraid to do it alone
Worst case scenario, you really can’t get along with your group or they keep treating you unfairly. If this happens, do not be afraid to ask your teacher for advice. If you somehow have to do things alone, so be it. You may end up having a better grade in the end.
There are really different learning styles, and not everyone learns or does things the same way. This applies to everything from formulating ideas to communicating with one another, up to actually finishing and presenting a project. If somehow you encounter something you do not understand, you or your group can go to the nearest AHEAD Tutorial and Review Center and we’ll help you out in any way we can.