Group projects don’t have to be a headache
For many students, group projects are a serious source of anxiety. Whether it’s for COMM 222, COMM 320, COMM 401, or any other class, getting together with your fellow students can often feel like the results are going to be less than the sum of their parts. This is especially so with online classes, where the lack of face-t0-face interaction can make things even more awkward.
It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Here are five tips to make sure that your next group project goes as smoothly as possible.
1. Choose your Group Wisely
This isn’t always possible, but when it is, make sure that you choose your group members carefully. Sometimes, this means avoiding working with your friends, especially if you don’t have the kind of relationship where you’re comfortable calling them out. In general, look for group members who are are as serious about the class as you are and want to achieve a similar grade.
2. Assume a Leadership Position
One of the biggest problems groups often face is a lack of leadership. Worse yet is when the bossiest person emerges as a so-called “leader.” Avoid this by taking on a leadership role as soon as possible. This will help make sure that the work is delegated properly, as well as ensure that you are fulfilling a role in the group that you are comfortable. Afterward, if any other leaders emerge, it be more likely to be based on merit, rather than force of personality or a vacuum of power.
3. Set a Schedule
Without a clear schedule, it’s very easy for everyone to leave their work to the last minute and scramble to put together disjunctive parts of a whole project. Avoid this by setting a clear schedule that has each member submitting their parts when necessary, especially when certain parts are needed for others to complete their parts.
4. Don’t Assign Introduction and Conclusion to One Person
Students love to split work among group members and often assign one member to the introduction or conclusion. This is a mistake, as that one person will effectively be dictating the whole course of the project or the conclusions drawn, and often their views can differ from the groups. Worse yet, groupthink often sets in before any mistakes made by this person can be fixed. Instead, have each member present their ideas for these parts before working on individual sections, and agree as a group on how the intro and conclusion, and thus the project as a whole, will proceed.
5. Set Enough Time to Review
Similar to the last point, students often leave group projects to the last minute. What often then happens is that when parts don’t fit together, students avoid fixing them so as not to rock the boat. To avoid this, make sure your group has enough time to edit the group project together, and make sure it is clear to everyone that their parts can and will be changed in order to make sure you have a cohesive group project.
With these tips, your group project should come together as something that is greater than the sum of its parts, rather than a disjointed mess.
We specialize in helping groups prepare for group projects. If you need help with organizing or putting together a group project, be sure to check out or COMM 222 tutoring or tutoring for any other class with a group project!
